60 Idioms for Luck

Idioms are fun phrases where the words together mean something totally different from what they say one by one. People use them to make talking and writing more colorful, exciting, and full of life. Today, you are going to learn a bunch of helpful idioms that all have to do with luck and good fortune.

In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms for luck that mean having good fortune, finding success by chance, and beating the odds. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.

Idioms for Luck

1. Break a leg

Meaning: An expression used to wish someone good luck before a performance or big test.

For Example: Before stepping onto the stage for the school play, her friends told her to break a leg. / He wished his teammates break a leg right before the soccer match began.

Other Ways to Say: Good luck / Do your best

2. A stroke of luck

Meaning: A sudden and unexpected event of good fortune that helps you out.

For Example: Finding his lost pencil right before the test was a lucky stroke of luck. / Winning the raffle ticket felt like a wonderful stroke of luck.

Other Ways to Say: Lucky break / Unexpected fortune

3. Hit the jackpot

Meaning: To achieve sudden, massive success or find wonderful fortune unexpectedly.

For Example: Finding that rare comic book at the garage sale felt like hitting the jackpot. / Getting assigned the best project partner meant we hit the jackpot.

Other Ways to Say: Strike gold / Huge success

4. Born under a lucky star

Meaning: Having good fortune and success follow you naturally throughout life.

For Example: Finding a dropped dollar bill made him feel like he was born under a lucky star. / Winning the art contest made her feel born under a lucky star.

Other Ways to Say: Very lucky / Fortunate

5. Beginner’s luck

Meaning: Unexplained success achieved by someone who is doing an activity for the very first time.

For Example: He won the bowling game on his first try, so everyone called it beginner’s luck. / Scoring a goal on her first soccer practice was pure beginner’s luck.

Other Ways to Say: First-time fortune / Lucky start

6. Seventh heaven

Meaning: A state of supreme happiness and wonderful fortune.

For Example: Receiving a brand new box of art supplies put her in seventh heaven. / He was in seventh heaven when allowed to pet the friendly horse.

Other Ways to Say: Supremely happy / Overjoyed

7. Knock on wood

Meaning: A phrase said or a gesture made to ward off bad luck after mentioning good fortune.

For Example: Our team has won three games in a row, knock on wood. / He mentioned his good health and quickly tapped the wooden desk, saying knock on wood.

Other Ways to Say: Touch wood / Keep fortune safe

8. Blessing in disguise

Meaning: A bad event that surprisingly turns out to bring good luck and success.

For Example: Breaking his bicycle forced him to walk, which proved to be a blessing in disguise. / Missing the first flight turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Other Ways to Say: Hidden benefit / Lucky misfortune

9. Finding a four-leaf clover

Meaning: Discovering a rare plant that is traditionally believed to bring good luck.

For Example: While walking through the park grass, she got lucky finding a four-leaf clover. / Keeping a pressed paper finding a four-leaf clover inside a book is fun.

Other Ways to Say: Rare find / Lucky charm

10. Right place, right time Meaning: Arriving at a specific location exactly when good fortune happens.

Meaning: Arriving at a specific location exactly when good fortune happens.

For Example: He found the dropped concert ticket because he was at the right place, right time. / Winning the prize depended on being at the right place, right time.

Other Ways to Say: Perfect timing / Lucky moment

11. Lucky break Meaning: A sudden helpful opportunity that makes things easier.

Meaning: A sudden helpful opportunity that makes things easier.

For Example: The rain stopping right before our outdoor sports day was a lucky break. / Getting an extra day to finish the history report was a lucky break.

Other Ways to Say: Stroke of luck / Helpful turn

12. Fortune smiles upon you Meaning: Having good luck and success come your way naturally.

Meaning: Having good luck and success come your way naturally.

For Example: When he found the missing ticket, it seemed fortune smiles upon him. / Studying hard ensures fortune smiles upon your exam results.

Other Ways to Say: Have good luck / Be fortunate

13. Lady luck Meaning: A playful name for the mysterious force that brings good fortune.

Meaning: A playful name for the mysterious force that brings good fortune.

For Example: Lady luck was certainly on his side during the board game roll. / He hoped lady luck would help him win the raffle prize.

Other Ways to Say: Good fortune / Chance

14. Star is shining Meaning: Experiencing a period where success and good luck follow you.

Meaning: Experiencing a period where success and good luck follow you.

For Example: Winning two contests in a row showed his star is shining bright. / With vacation starting, it felt like our star is shining.

Other Ways to Say: Good luck phase / Successful time

15. Catching a lucky star Meaning: Experiencing a sudden burst of wonderful fortune.

Meaning: Experiencing a sudden burst of wonderful fortune.

For Example: Finding the rare trading card felt like catching a lucky star. / The team won the match by catching a lucky star in the final seconds.

Other Ways to Say: Lucky break / Great fortune

16. Touch wood Meaning: Tapping a wooden surface to keep good luck safe from bad fortune.

Meaning: Tapping a wooden surface to keep good luck safe from bad fortune.

For Example: Our science project is running smoothly, touch wood. / He mentioned never losing a game and quickly added touch wood.

Other Ways to Say: Knock on wood / Guard luck

17. Safe and sound Meaning: Escaping danger safely through good luck or caution.

Meaning: Escaping danger safely through good luck or caution.

For Example: After the heavy storm passed, the campers arrived safe and sound. / The lost puppy returned home safe and sound.

Other Ways to Say: Unharmed / Secure

18. Weather the storm Meaning: Surviving a difficult period successfully thanks to luck or skill.

Meaning: Surviving a difficult period successfully thanks to luck or skill.

For Example: The small business managed to weather the storm during tough months. / With help from friends, she could weather the storm.

Other Ways to Say: Survive trouble / Persevere

19. Born lucky Meaning: Naturally experiencing good fortune in life events.

Meaning: Naturally experiencing good fortune in life events.

For Example: Winning two raffle tickets in a row made him feel born lucky. / She always guessed trivia answers correctly, feeling born lucky.

Other Ways to Say: Fortunate / Lucky

20. Playing with loaded dice Meaning: Having an unfair advantage or guaranteed good luck.

Meaning: Having an unfair advantage or guaranteed good luck.

For Example: Winning every game made it feel like he was playing with loaded dice. / Fair rules mean nobody is playing with loaded dice.

Other Ways to Say: Unfair advantage / Fixed game

21. Win hands down Meaning: Achieving victory very easily through great skill or luck.

Meaning: Achieving victory very easily through great skill or luck.

For Example: Our spelling team managed to win hands down in the competition. / With their great practice, they were ready to win hands down.

Other Ways to Say: Win easily / Clear victory

22. Fall on your feet Meaning: To successfully escape trouble and land in a lucky situation.

Meaning: To successfully escape trouble and land in a lucky situation.

For Example: Even though he missed the bus, he caught a ride and managed to fall on his feet. / She switched classes and quickly managed to fall on her feet.

Other Ways to Say: Land safely / Get lucky

23. Have the Midas touch Meaning: Everything you try or touch turns into a successful venture.

Meaning: Everything you try or touch turns into a successful venture.

For Example: Every painting she entered into the art show won a ribbon, as if she had the Midas touch. / His gardening club flowers always grew tallest, showing he had the Midas touch.

Other Ways to Say: Be lucky / Succeed easily

24. Shoot the moon Meaning: Trying for the highest possible goal or lucky reward.

Meaning: Trying for the highest possible goal or lucky reward.

For Example: Instead of aiming for a small prize, he decided to shoot the moon in the contest. / Setting high goals means trying to shoot the moon.

Other Ways to Say: Aim high / Try for best

25. Ride your luck Meaning: Continuing to take risks because your good fortune has lasted.

Meaning: Continuing to take risks because your good fortune has lasted.

For Example: He won three card rounds in a row and decided to keep riding his luck. / Do not keep riding your luck too far when playing games.

Other Ways to Say: Push fortune / Take chances

26. Pushing your luck Meaning: Taking too many unnecessary risks when things are going well.

Meaning: Taking too many unnecessary risks when things are going well.

For Example: Asking for extra recess time after already getting a treat is pushing your luck. / He won twice, but asking for a third game was pushing his luck.

Other Ways to Say: Take risks / Overdo it

27. Beginner’s charm Meaning: The natural appeal and lucky success of a first-timer.

Meaning: The natural appeal and lucky success of a first-timer.

For Example: He threw a strike on his first bowling turn, showing beginner’s charm. / Scoring on her first hockey shot was pure beginner’s charm.

Other Ways to Say: First-time luck / Lucky start

28. Golden horseshoe Meaning: A traditional symbol representing an abundance of good luck.

Meaning: A traditional symbol representing an abundance of good luck.

For Example: Finding a rusty horseshoe on the farm made him feel like he had a golden horseshoe. / Winning the raffle made her feel like she wore a golden horseshoe.

Other Ways to Say: Good fortune / Lucky charm

29. Lucky streak Meaning: A continuous series of successful and fortunate events.

Meaning: A continuous series of successful and fortunate events.

For Example: Winning four board games in a row started an amazing lucky streak. / He guessed every trivia question correctly during his lucky streak.

Other Ways to Say: Winning run / Series of luck

30. Lightning striking twice Meaning: An extremely rare event of good luck happening a second time.

Meaning: An extremely rare event of good luck happening a second time.

For Example: Winning the school raffle two years in a row was like lightning striking twice. / Finding another dollar bill on the sidewalk felt like lightning striking twice.

Other Ways to Say: Rare coincidence / Double luck

31. Third time is a charm Meaning: Believing that a third attempt will finally bring good luck.

Meaning: Believing that a third attempt will finally bring good luck.

For Example: He missed the basketball shot twice, remembering that the third time is a charm. / Failing twice didn’t stop her because the third time is a charm.

Other Ways to Say: Lucky third try / Success at last

32. Saved by the bell Meaning: Being rescued from a bad situation just in time by luck.

Meaning: Being rescued from a bad situation just in time by luck.

For Example: He didn’t know the answer, but the recess bell rang, saving him by the bell. / Running out of time on the quiz was being saved by the bell.

Other Ways to Say: Rescued last second / Lucky escape

33. Out of the woods Meaning: Escaping danger and entering a safe, lucky situation.

Meaning: Escaping danger and entering a safe, lucky situation.

For Example: After fixing the flat tire, our car was finally out of the woods. / Passing the difficult test meant he was out of the woods.

Other Ways to Say: Safe / Out of danger

34. In the clear Meaning: Being free from trouble, danger, or bad luck.

Meaning: Being free from trouble, danger, or bad luck.

For Example: Once the thunderstorm passed, the hikers knew they were in the clear. / Finishing his chores put him in the clear for playtime.

Other Ways to Say: Safe / Out of trouble

35. Smooth sailing Meaning: A lucky period of time where everything goes without problems.

Meaning: A lucky period of time where everything goes without problems.

For Example: Once we learned the rules, playing the game was smooth sailing. / The rest of the school term was smooth sailing after exams.

Other Ways to Say: Easy progress / Trouble-free

36. Wind in your sails Meaning: Having a sudden boost of luck, energy, and momentum.

Meaning: Having a sudden boost of luck, energy, and momentum.

For Example: Receiving praise from the teacher gave him wind in his sails for the project. / Finding the lost notes put wind in our sails.

Other Ways to Say: Boost of energy / Lucky momentum

37. On a roll Meaning: Experiencing an ongoing period of wonderful luck and success.

Meaning: Experiencing an ongoing period of wonderful luck and success.

For Example: He solved three math puzzles in a row, proving he was on a roll. / Our team won two games and felt like they were on a roll.

Other Ways to Say: Winning streak / Doing great

38. Hitting paydirt Meaning: Discovering something extremely valuable or lucky.

Meaning: Discovering something extremely valuable or lucky.

For Example: Rummaging through the old attic box felt like hitting paydirt when he found comic books. / Researching online proved like hitting paydirt for facts.

Other Ways to Say: Great find / Lucky discovery

39. Strike lucky Meaning: Experiencing a sudden and wonderful moment of good fortune.

Meaning: Experiencing a sudden and wonderful moment of good fortune.

For Example: We arrived at the bakery just as fresh cookies came out, really strike lucky. / He hoped to strike lucky in the school raffle.

Other Ways to Say: Get lucky / Find fortune

40. Born on your feet Meaning: Being resourceful and lucky enough to escape trouble.

Meaning: Being resourceful and lucky enough to escape trouble.

For Example: Tripping over the rug didn’t make him fall because he was born on his feet. / Quick reflexes kept her born on her feet during the game.

Other Ways to Say: Quick recovery / Agile

41. Falling on your feet Meaning: Successfully escaping a mishap and landing in good luck.

Meaning: Successfully escaping a mishap and landing in good luck.

For Example: Dropping his tray was messy, but finding an extra sandwich meant falling on his feet. / She lost her spot in line, but a friend saved her space, falling on her feet.

Other Ways to Say: Lucky escape / Good landing

42. Catching a break Meaning: Receiving a sudden piece of good luck during a hard time.

Meaning: Receiving a sudden piece of good luck during a hard time.

For Example: After studying hard all week, he felt like he was finally catching a break on the quiz. / The team needed catching a break to win the game.

Other Ways to Say: Lucky moment / Helpful turn

43. Breaking the spell Meaning: Ending a streak of bad luck or misfortune.

Meaning: Ending a streak of bad luck or misfortune.

For Example: Scoring their first goal felt like breaking the spell of losing games. / Winning the match helped with breaking the spell of bad luck.

Other Ways to Say: End bad luck / Reverse fortune

44. Turning the tide Meaning: Changing a losing situation into a winning, lucky one.

Meaning: Changing a losing situation into a winning, lucky one.

For Example: Scoring two quick points helped the team in turning the tide of the match. / Studying hard was turning the tide for his grades.

Other Ways to Say: Reverse situation / Change luck

45. A lucky charm Meaning: An object believed to bring good fortune to its owner.

Meaning: An object believed to bring good fortune to its owner.

For Example: He always carried a smooth blue stone in his pocket as a lucky charm. / The little silver star served as her lucky charm during tests.

Other Ways to Say: Talisman / Good luck token

46. Four-leaf clover Meaning: A rare leaf mutation considered a powerful sign of luck.

Meaning: A rare leaf mutation considered a powerful sign of luck.

For Example: Kneeling in the grass, she searched everywhere for a four-leaf clover. / Pressing a four-leaf clover inside a dictionary keeps it safe.

Other Ways to Say: Lucky plant / Rare green

47. Rabbit’s foot Meaning: A furry keychain often carried as a traditional lucky charm.

Meaning: A furry keychain often carried as a traditional lucky charm.

For Example: He rubbed his pocket rabbit’s foot before taking the spelling test. / Carrying a rabbit’s foot is an old custom for good luck.

Other Ways to Say: Lucky token / Charm

48. Horseshoe over door Meaning: Hanging an iron horseshoe to trap good luck inside a home.

Meaning: Hanging an iron horseshoe to trap good luck inside a home.

For Example: Grandma nailed an old horseshoe over door to bring the house fortune. / The rustic cabin featured a horseshoe over door for tradition.

Other Ways to Say: Lucky sign / Protective charm

49. Starry-eyed luck Meaning: Feeling amazed and fortunate about unexpected success.

Meaning: Feeling amazed and fortunate about unexpected success.

For Example: Winning the art contest left her with starry-eyed luck and joy. / He stared at his trophy with starry-eyed luck.

Other Ways to Say: Amazed fortune / Dazzled luck

50. Smiling fortune Meaning: When luck and good circumstances favor your plans.

Meaning: When luck and good circumstances favor your plans.

For Example: With smiling fortune on their side, the club built the treehouse fast. / Good weather brought smiling fortune to our picnic.

Other Ways to Say: Favorable luck / Good chance

51. Lucky star shining Meaning: Having your personal fortune guide you toward success.

Meaning: Having your personal fortune guide you toward success.

For Example: Finding the dropped backpack meant his lucky star shining above him. / With his lucky star shining, he aced the audition.

Other Ways to Say: Good fortune / Lucky guidance

52. Serendipity Meaning: Finding valuable or lucky things by chance without looking.

Meaning: Finding valuable or lucky things by chance without looking.

For Example: Stumbling upon the rare comic book at the library was pure serendipity. / Meeting his old friend downtown was wonderful serendipity.

Other Ways to Say: Happy accident / Lucky chance

53. Fluke Meaning: A lucky stroke of success happening purely by accidental chance.

Meaning: A lucky stroke of success happening purely by accidental chance.

For Example: Hitting the basketball hoop from across the court was just a fluke. / He scored the goal as a fluke, but celebrated anyway.

Other Ways to Say: Lucky accident / Pure chance

54. Happy coincidence Meaning: An unplanned event that brings wonderful good luck.

Meaning: An unplanned event that brings wonderful good luck.

For Example: Wearing matching blue shirts to school was a happy coincidence. / Running into his cousin at the museum was a happy coincidence.

Other Ways to Say: Lucky chance / Unplanned meeting

55. Pure chance Meaning: An outcome decided entirely by luck rather than skill.

Meaning: An outcome decided entirely by luck rather than skill.

For Example: Picking the winning raffle ticket was determined by pure chance. / Rolling the numbered cube in board games relies on pure chance.

Other Ways to Say: Random luck / Accidental result

56. Lottery win Meaning: A massive, unexpected stroke of financial fortune.

Meaning: A massive, unexpected stroke of financial fortune.

For Example: Finding a rare baseball card felt like hitting a lottery win. / Winning the grand prize felt like a lottery win.

Other Ways to Say: Huge fortune / Massive luck

57. Jackpot strike Meaning: Discovering an instant reward of great fortune.

Meaning: Discovering an instant reward of great fortune.

For Example: Rummaging through the toy box led to a jackpot strike of lost Legos. / Finding the correct riddle answer felt like a jackpot strike.

Other Ways to Say: Big win / Lucky find

58. Golden opportunity Meaning: A rare, lucky chance to achieve something wonderful.

Meaning: A rare, lucky chance to achieve something wonderful.

For Example: Traveling abroad offered a golden opportunity to learn a new language. / Auditioning for the play was a golden opportunity.

Other Ways to Say: Lucky chance / Rare opening

59. Lucky break style Meaning: Experiencing a sudden turn of fortunate events.

Meaning: Experiencing a sudden turn of fortunate events.

For Example: The traffic cleared up right away in a lucky break style. / He solved the puzzle in a lucky break style.

Other Ways to Say: Fortunate turn / Lucky moment

60. Ultimate fortune Meaning: The highest level of good luck and prosperity.

Meaning: The highest level of good luck and prosperity.

For Example: Winning the scholarship felt like achieving ultimate fortune. / Finding true friends is a form of ultimate fortune.

Other Ways to Say: Greatest luck / Maximum prosperity

Exercise to Practice

1. Before stepping onto the stage for the school play, her friends told her to break a ________.
2. Finding his lost pencil right before the test was a lucky stroke of ________.
3. Finding that rare comic book at the garage sale felt like hitting the ________.
4. Finding a dropped dollar bill made him feel like he was born under a lucky ________.
5. He won the bowling game on his first try, so everyone called it beginner’s ________.
6. Receiving a brand new box of art supplies put her in seventh ________.
7. Our team has won three games in a row, knock on ________.
8. Breaking his bicycle forced him to walk, which proved to be a blessing in ________.
9. While walking through the park grass, she got lucky finding a four-leaf ________.
10. He found the dropped concert ticket because he was at the right place, right ________.
11. The rain stopping right before our outdoor sports day was a lucky ________.
12. When he found the lost ticket, it seemed fortune smiles ________ him.
13. Lady ________ was certainly on his side during the board game roll.
14. Winning two contests in a row showed his star is shining ________.
15. Finding the rare trading card felt like catching a lucky ________.

Answer Key

1. leg
2. luck
3. jackpot
4. star
5. luck
6. heaven
7. wood
8. disguise
9. clover
10. time
11. break
12. upon
13. luck
14. bright
15. star

Conclusion

Learning idioms for luck helps you understand stories, casual expressions, and tales of fortune much better. When you know what these colorful phrases mean, you can use them to describe winning games or unexpected surprises in your own writing.

Try using a few of these expressions the next time you talk about a game or finding something special. Practicing them out loud is a great way to remember them and make your communication sound awesome.