luck
Chance influencing outcomes
The way things happen by chance, not by what you do.
to have [good/bad] luck
- She couldn't believe her luck when she won the lottery.
- With a bit of luck, we'll finish the project on time.
- It was pure luck that they found the missing keys.
- They had bad luck with the weather during their trip.
- By luck, he caught the last train home.
- I had good luck in the game.
- We need luck to win.
- She had bad luck yesterday.
- He found his phone by luck.
- They had no luck finding the cat.
Good results from chance
When something good happens without you planning it.
to have [some] luck with [something]
- It was a stroke of luck that the store had one left in stock.
- We had some luck with the fishing this morning.
- Finding that old photo was pure luck.
- It was luck that I met her there.
- We had luck finding a taxi.
- It was good luck to get the job.
- Base: luck
- Plural: luck
bad luck
1Misfortune from chance
When something bad happens because of chance, not because of what you did.
- It was bad luck that it rained during the picnic.
- Losing your wallet is just bad luck.
good luck
1Wishing someone success
Used to tell someone you hope they will succeed or have good things happen.
- Good luck with your exam tomorrow!
- Good luck in your new job.
beginner's luck
1Unusually good first-time success
When someone who is new to an activity does very well the first time, often better than expected.
- She won her first game—must be beginner's luck.
- She won the card game on her first try, and everyone said it was just beginner's luck.
- I think it was just beginner's luck that he scored so well.
- Don't let your beginner's luck fool you; this game gets much harder.
- He scored a goal in his first match, but it was probably beginner's luck.
push your luck
1risk losing by seeking more gain
To try for more success after being lucky, which may cause you to lose what you have.
- You won twice—don’t push your luck.
- She decided not to push her luck and left while she was ahead.
push your luck
2Risk losing gained advantage
To try something risky after you have already been lucky, which may cause you to lose what you gained.
- You've won twice—don't push your luck!
- I think you're pushing your luck asking for another day off.
stroke of luck
1sudden event of good luck
A sudden and very lucky event that helps you.
- By a stroke of luck, the train was delayed and I didn’t miss it.
- Finding that old photo was a real stroke of luck.
- It was a stroke of luck that she called just when I needed help.
stroke of luck
2Sudden lucky event
A sudden and unexpected piece of good fortune.
- Meeting her there was a real stroke of luck.
- It was a stroke of luck that we caught the earlier train.