Idioms are special phrases where the words together have a different meaning than what they say one by one. People use them to make talking and writing more colorful, fun, and expressive. In this lesson, you will learn fifty handy idioms that mean good luck.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean best of luck. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Best of Luck
1. Break a leg
Definition: To wish someone good fortune or success, especially right before a performance or big event.
Used in a Sentence: Her mom told her to break a leg right before she walked onto the stage for the school play. / Everyone whispered break a leg to the actors before the curtain went up.
Similar Expressions: Good luck / Knock them dead
2. Cross your fingers
Definition: To hope strongly that things will turn out well for someone.
Used in a Sentence: I am crossing my fingers that you pass your science test tomorrow. / We crossed our fingers while waiting to hear if our team won the tournament.
Similar Expressions: Hope for the best / Keep your fingers crossed
3. Knock on wood
Definition: A phrase said or an action done to bring good luck and keep bad luck away.
Used in a Sentence: I have not missed a single day of school this year, knock on wood. / She said she would win the game, and then quickly tapped the table to knock on wood.
Similar Expressions: Touch wood / Keep your luck safe
4. Shoot for the stars
Definition: To aim high and wish someone great success in their big dreams.
Used in a Sentence: Our teacher told us to shoot for the stars as we picked our science fair topics. / You can achieve anything you want if you shoot for the stars.
Similar Expressions: Aim high / Reach for the top
5. May the wind be at your back
Definition: An old and friendly way to wish someone a smooth and successful journey ahead.
Used in a Sentence: Grandpa smiled and said may the wind be at your back as I left for my first solo camping trip. / The coach wished the team may the wind be at your back before their long bus ride to the finals.
Similar Expressions: Have a smooth trip / Wishing you smooth sailing
6. Wishing you blue skies
Definition: To wish someone a peaceful, happy, and lucky time without any problems.
Used in a Sentence: He left a sweet note on my desk wishing you blue skies on your move to the new city. / We sent a card wishing you blue skies for your exciting summer vacation.
Similar Expressions: Wishing you the best / Have a wonderful time
7. Strike gold
Definition: To have a sudden stroke of great luck and find massive success.
Used in a Sentence: Choosing that rare comic book to sell at the fair made him feel like he struck gold. / I hope you strike gold with your brilliant idea for the invention contest.
Similar Expressions: Hit the jackpot / Hit the big time
8. Catch a break
Definition: To finally have some good luck happen after a hard time.
Used in a Sentence: After studying all week, I hope I catch a break and get an easy quiz. / The rain finally stopped so the team could play, and they were glad to catch a break.
Similar Expressions: Get lucky / Have things go your way
9. Lady Luck be on your side
Definition: To hope that good fortune stays with someone during a challenge.
Used in a Sentence: As he stepped up to take the final penalty kick, he hoped Lady Luck would be on his side. / She trusted her hard work, but still whispered for Lady Luck to be on her side.
Similar Expressions: Fortune favor you / Hope luck is with you
10. May the odds be ever in your favor
Definition: A popular phrase used to wish someone success in a difficult game or contest.
Used in a Sentence: The referee smiled and said may the odds be ever in your favor before the chess match. / We cheered for our friends and told them may the odds be ever in your favor.
Similar Expressions: Best wishes in the game / Good fortune to you
11. May fortune smile upon you
Definition: To wish that good things and happy events come into someone’s life.
Used in a Sentence: The wise old storyteller wished that fortune would smile upon the young traveler. / I hope fortune smiles upon you during your audition today.
Similar Expressions: May good things happen / Wishing you good fortune
12. May the force be with you
Definition: A fun phrase used to wish someone strength and good luck in a tough moment.
Used in a Sentence: My dad told me may the force be with you as I walked into the spelling bee room. / We all shouted may the force be with you to our friend running the race.
Similar Expressions: Give it your all / Wishing you strength
13. Hit the jackpot
Definition: To win big or have an amazingly lucky outcome in a situation.
Used in a Sentence: Finding the exact missing puzzle piece on the floor felt like I hit the jackpot. / When she got her dream role in the musical, she knew she had hit the jackpot.
Similar Expressions: Hit the big time / Score big
14. Have the wind in your sails
Definition: To have a wave of good luck and energy helping you move forward quickly.
Used in a Sentence: Winning the first debate match put the wind in our sails for the rest of the day. / With the wind in your sails, you will finish this project in no time.
Similar Expressions: Get a boost / Ride the wave
15. Ride the wave
Definition: To take full advantage of a lucky and successful period in time.
Used in a Sentence: After scoring two goals, she wanted to ride the wave of success into the next game. / Keep working hard and ride the wave while things are going your way.
Similar Expressions: Keep up the good momentum / Ride your luck
16. Fall on your feet
Definition: To survive a risky situation and end up lucky and safe.
Used in a Sentence: Even though he dropped his notes, he managed to fall on his feet and give a great speech. / She always seems to fall on your feet no matter how tough the puzzle is.
Similar Expressions: Land safely / Turn out fine
17. Born with a silver spoon in your mouth
Definition: To be born into a very rich family with lots of built-in luck and wealth.
Used in a Sentence: People say the prince was born with a silver spoon in his mouth because of his royal life. / She did not think she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, so she worked hard for everything.
Similar Expressions: Born lucky / Born rich
18. Seventh heaven
Definition: A state of extreme happiness and joy because something wonderful just happened.
Used in a Sentence: When he found out he won the art prize, he was in seventh heaven all afternoon. / She was in seventh heaven when her puppy finally learned a new trick.
Similar Expressions: On cloud nine / Over the moon
19. On cloud nine
Definition: Feeling wonderfully happy and lucky after a great event.
Used in a Sentence: I was on cloud nine after scoring the winning basket in the final seconds. / Winning the science fair put her on cloud nine for days.
Similar Expressions: Overjoyed / Extremely happy
20. Over the moon
Definition: Being thrilled and full of joy about some good news or lucky break.
Used in a Sentence: My sister was over the moon when she adopted her fluffy new kitten. / We were over the moon when our class trip was announced.
Similar Expressions: Ecstatic / Thrilled
21. Walk on air
Definition: To feel light, happy, and lucky because something amazing just occurred.
Used in a Sentence: He felt like he was walking on air after getting an A plus on his hard math test. / She walked on air all the way home after hearing the good news.
Similar Expressions: Feel weightless with joy / Feel elated
22. Grin from ear to ear
Definition: To smile very broadly because you are happy about a lucky turn of events.
Used in a Sentence: Opening his birthday present made him grin from ear to ear. / She had a grin from ear to ear when her painting was chosen for the gallery.
Similar Expressions: Smile brightly / Beam with joy
23. Jump for joy
Definition: To leap up in the air because you are so excited and happy.
Used in a Sentence: The little kids started to jump for joy when the ice cream truck pulled up. / We wanted to jump for joy when school ended for summer vacation.
Similar Expressions: Leap with excitement / Dance with happiness
24. A stroke of luck
Definition: A sudden and unexpected event of good fortune that helps you out.
Used in a Sentence: Finding my lost house keys in the grass was a huge stroke of luck. / It was a pure stroke of luck that the rain stopped right as our picnic began.
Similar Expressions: A lucky break / Good fortune
25. Right place at the right time
Definition: Being in a specific spot exactly when a lucky opportunity happens.
Used in a Sentence: He got to meet his favorite author just by being in the right place at the right time. / Being in the right place at the right time helped her win the raffle prize.
Similar Expressions: Perfect timing / Fortunate timing
26. Stars align
Definition: When every single condition comes together perfectly to bring great luck.
Used in a Sentence: It felt like the stars aligned when the weather was sunny and our entire family could visit. / When all the stars align, your hard work and luck pay off together.
Similar Expressions: Everything clicks / Perfect alignment
27. Fortune favors the bold
Definition: Brave people who take smart risks often receive good luck and success.
Used in a Sentence: She decided to try out for the lead role because fortune favors the bold. / Remember that fortune favors the bold when you pitch your new club idea.
Similar Expressions: Take a chance / Fortune helps the brave
28. Keep your fingers crossed
Definition: To silently hope that luck stays on your side for a good outcome.
Used in a Sentence: Let us keep our fingers crossed that the school trip does not get canceled. / I am keeping my fingers crossed for sunny weather on Saturday.
Similar Expressions: Hope for the best / Cross your fingers
29. Touch wood
Definition: A short phrase said to ward off bad luck after mentioning something good.
Used in a Sentence: My bicycle has never gotten a flat tire, touch wood. / We have won every match this season, touch wood, and hope to keep going.
Similar Expressions: Knock on wood / Guard against bad luck
30. A lucky charm
Definition: An object that people believe brings good luck and wards off bad fortune.
Used in a Sentence: He always wears his special green wristband as a lucky charm to tests. / She kept a small polished stone in her pocket as her lucky charm.
Similar Expressions: Talisman / Good luck token
31. Beginner’s luck
Definition: Unexpected success or good fortune experienced by someone who is brand new at an activity.
Used in a Sentence: He won the bowling game on his very first try, which everyone called beginner’s luck. / Hitting the bullseye on her first throw was just beginner’s luck.
Similar Expressions: First-time fortune / Novice luck
32. Weather the storm
Definition: To successfully survive a difficult time or period of bad luck.
Used in a Sentence: With teamwork and patience, our family managed to weather the storm during the power outage. / If we stick together, we can weather the storm of tough homework weeks.
Similar Expressions: Pull through / Ride it out
33. Turn the corner
Definition: To pass through a period of bad luck and start seeing good things happen.
Used in a Sentence: After a long week of feeling sick, he finally turned the corner and felt energetic. / The basketball team turned the corner after winning three games in a row.
Similar Expressions: Make a turnaround / Turn things around
34. Clear skies ahead
Definition: A phrase meaning that future times will be easy, happy, and full of good luck.
Used in a Sentence: The counselor told us that after exams finish, there will be clear skies ahead. / With the hard project behind us, we have clear skies ahead.
Similar Expressions: Smooth sailing / Bright future
35. Smooth sailing
Definition: A situation that is peaceful, easy, and free from bad luck or trouble.
Used in a Sentence: Once we figured out how to use the computer software, it was smooth sailing. / Building the model airplane was difficult at first, but then it was smooth sailing.
Similar Expressions: Easy going / Clear sailing
36. Back on your feet
Definition: Recovering your health, money, or good fortune after a tough setback.
Used in a Sentence: After resting all weekend, my brother was back on his feet and ready for soccer. / Saving up allowance helped her get back on her feet after buying a broken toy.
Similar Expressions: Recovered / Up and running
37. Sail through
Definition: To pass a test or difficult task with total ease and great luck.
Used in a Sentence: She studied hard, so she was able to sail through her history presentation. / With a little practice, you will sail through the obstacle course.
Similar Expressions: Ace it / Glide through
38. Fall on soft ground
Definition: To experience a failure or mistake that turns out to have very little bad consequence.
Used in a Sentence: Missing the catch felt scary, but the ball landed softly so he fell on soft ground. / Her bad business idea did not lose much money, so she fell on soft ground.
Similar Expressions: Land softly / Avoid disaster
39. Find a horseshoe
Definition: A traditional sign of finding unexpected good luck in your daily life.
Used in a Sentence: Finding an old metal piece in the garden felt like finding a horseshoe of good luck. / He felt like he found a horseshoe when he won the rare prize ticket.
Similar Expressions: Find good fortune / Discover a lucky token
40. Catch the wind
Definition: To capture a sudden burst of good luck or momentum in a project.
Used in a Sentence: Our art project really started to catch the wind once we added bright colors. / If we work fast, we can catch the wind of this creative mood.
Similar Expressions: Gain momentum / Catch a wave
41. A blessing in disguise
Definition: A bad event or piece of bad luck that turns out to bring good results later.
Used in a Sentence: Missing the morning bus was a blessing in disguise because I found a dropped wallet and returned it. / The rain canceled our hike, but it was a blessing in disguise for our lawn.
Similar Expressions: Hidden blessing / Turn of events
42. Fall into your lap
Definition: To receive a lucky gift or great opportunity without having to work very hard for it.
Used in a Sentence: The extra concert ticket just seemed to fall into her lap on Friday afternoon. / Do not expect success to just fall into your lap without trying.
Similar Expressions: Come easily / Land in your hands
43. Fall on a gold mine
Definition: To accidentally discover something extremely valuable or lucky.
Used in a Sentence: Cleaning out the old attic boxes felt like we fell on a gold mine of vintage toys. / When he found the box of old baseball cards, he felt like he fell on a gold mine.
Similar Expressions: Hit the motherlode / Strike gold
44. Born under a lucky star
Definition: To be a person who always seems to have good fortune and wonderful luck.
Used in a Sentence: Finding a dollar bill on the sidewalk made her feel like she was born under a lucky star. / He always wins the raffle, proving he must have been born under a lucky star.
Similar Expressions: Extremely fortunate / Naturally lucky
45. A lucky streak
Definition: A period of time where a person experiences many good things in a row.
Used in a Sentence: Winning three board games in a row meant he was having a lucky streak. / She guessed every trivia question correctly during her lucky streak.
Similar Expressions: Hot streak / Winning run
46. Hit the sweet spot
Definition: To find the exact right combination for success and good luck.
Used in a Sentence: The recipe hit the sweet spot when we added a pinch more sugar. / Studying for one hour every night seems to hit the sweet spot for my grades.
Similar Expressions: Find the balance / Hit the mark
47. Find your stride
Definition: To start moving forward with ease and good luck after an awkward start.
Used in a Sentence: After running the first lap slowly, she began to find her stride and ran faster. / It took him a few minutes to find his stride during the piano recital.
Similar Expressions: Get into a groove / Catch your rhythm
48. Have the Midas touch
Definition: The magical ability to make everything you try turn out successful and profitable.
Used in a Sentence: Every club fundraiser she organizes makes money, as if she has the Midas touch. / He has the Midas touch when it comes to growing plants in the garden.
Similar Expressions: Turn things to gold / Naturally successful
49. Land on your feet
Definition: To get out of a risky or tricky situation safely and with good luck.
Used in a Sentence: Even after dropping his notes, he spoke so well that he landed on his feet. / She lost her job at the cafe, but she quickly landed on her feet at the bookstore.
Similar Expressions: Fall on your feet / Land safely
50. Smile upon
Definition: To look favorably and bring good fortune to someone.
Used in a Sentence: We hoped the sunny weather would smile upon our outdoor sports day. / The judges decided to smile upon our project and awarded us second place.
Similar Expressions: Favor someone / Bring good luck
Exercise to Practice
- The actor whispered break a leg before stepping out on stage for the school play.
- We are crossing our fingers that the outdoor field trip gets canceled by rain.
- She tapped the wooden desk to knock on wood after saying she never loses her keys.
- My teacher told us to shoot for the stars when we aim for average grades.
- He felt like he struck gold when he found his missing red sneaker under the bed.
- After studying hard all night, I hope I catch a break on tomorrow’s test.
- Being born with a silver spoon in your mouth means you worked hard for your allowance.
- Winning the art competition put him in seventh heaven all afternoon.
- Finding a dollar bill on the sidewalk made her feel like she was born under a lucky star.
- Missing the morning bus was a blessing in disguise because I met my best friend at the later stop.
- He was having a lucky streak after losing five games of checkers in a row.
- Finding the exact puzzle piece on the floor felt like he hit the jackpot.
- The science experiment was difficult at first, but then it was smooth sailing.
- She decided to try out for the school choir because fortune favors the bold.
- Having bad luck all day long is known as having a lucky streak.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- False
Conclusion
Learning these idioms helps you express good wishes and positive feelings in fun and creative ways. Adding them to your daily conversations makes your English sound colorful and engaging. Try using one of these lucky phrases when your friend has a big test or a sports game tomorrow. You will see how much fun it is to brighten someone else’s day with a clever expression.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common idioms for best of luck?
Some of the most common idioms for wishing good luck include break a leg, cross your fingers, and knock on wood. People use these friendly expressions every day in school, sports, and hobbies.
Why do we use idioms in English?
Idioms make our language much more colorful, interesting, and fun than using plain words. They help us share feelings like good luck and excitement in creative ways.
Can I use break a leg in formal writing?
Break a leg is a casual idiom usually spoken before performances or tests rather than used in formal essays. It is best saved for friendly conversations and cheering on teammates.
What does it mean to hit the jackpot?
Hitting the jackpot means to experience a sudden and amazing stroke of good luck or success. It comes from games where players win a very large prize.
How can I learn more idioms easily?
You can learn more idioms by reading stories, practicing them in sentences, and using them when talking with friends. Learning a few new expressions each week is a great way to grow your vocabulary.
