Positive fortune and success inspire many colorful expressions in English. Below is a comprehensive list of 40 unique phrases related to favorable outcomes, each with clear meanings, example sentences, and alternative ways to say the same thing. After the list, test your understanding with a 20-question multiple-choice quiz!
1. Break a Leg
Meaning: Wish someone success before an important event
In a Sentence: The director told the actors to break a leg before the show started.
Other Ways to Say: Give it your all, Best of luck
2. Luck of the Draw
Meaning: Outcome determined by chance
In a Sentence: Getting the last ticket was just the luck of the draw.
Other Ways to Say: Pure chance, Random selection
3. Third Time’s a Charm
Meaning: Success after two failures
In a Sentence: She failed twice, but the third time’s a charm.
Other Ways to Say: Persistence pays off, Success at last
4. Cross Your Fingers
Meaning: Hope for a positive result
In a Sentence: Cross your fingers that the test results are good.
Other Ways to Say: Hope for the best, Wish me well
5. Knock on Wood
Meaning: Avoid tempting fate after mentioning good outcomes
In a Sentence: I haven’t missed a day of work, knock on wood.
Other Ways to Say: Touch wood, Let’s hope it stays that way
6. Lucky Break
Meaning: Unexpected favorable event
In a Sentence: Landing that contract was a lucky break for the firm.
Other Ways to Say: Stroke of fortune, Fortunate turn
7. In the Right Place at the Right Time
Meaning: Benefiting from perfect timing
In a Sentence: She was in the right place at the right time to meet the CEO.
Other Ways to Say: Perfect timing, Fortuitous moment
8. Born with a Silver Spoon
Meaning: Born into privilege or advantage
In a Sentence: He never struggled financially, born with a silver spoon.
Other Ways to Say: Privileged, Fortunate birth
9. Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow
Meaning: Reward after effort or hope
In a Sentence: They believed their efforts would lead to a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Other Ways to Say: Big payoff, Dream reward
10. On a Roll
Meaning: Experiencing continuous success
In a Sentence: After winning three matches, she was on a roll.
Other Ways to Say: Hot streak, Winning streak
11. Lady Luck is Smiling
Meaning: Experiencing favorable fortune
In a Sentence: Lady luck was smiling on him during the tournament.
Other Ways to Say: Fortune favors him, Luck is on his side
12. Hit the Jackpot
Meaning: Achieve a major success or gain
In a Sentence: She hit the jackpot with her new invention.
Other Ways to Say: Strike it rich, Big win
13. Horseshoe Up One’s Sleeve
Meaning: Having a hidden advantage
In a Sentence: He always seems to win; maybe he has a horseshoe up his sleeve.
Other Ways to Say: Lucky charm, Secret edge
14. Beginner’s Luck
Meaning: Unexpected success for a novice
In a Sentence: Winning on his first try was definitely beginner’s luck.
Other Ways to Say: Newbie’s fortune, First-timer’s success
15. Like Finding a Needle in a Haystack
Meaning: Extremely difficult but fortunate to find
In a Sentence: Finding the rare book was like finding a needle in a haystack.
Other Ways to Say: Against the odds, Rare discovery
16. Luck Be a Lady
Meaning: Wish for favorable fortune
In a Sentence: As he rolled the dice, he whispered, “Luck be a lady tonight.”
Other Ways to Say: May fortune favor us, Let luck shine
17. Touch Wood
Meaning: Avoid bad outcomes by superstition
In a Sentence: I’ve never been late, touch wood.
Other Ways to Say: Knock on wood, Fingers crossed
18. Star-Crossed
Meaning: Doomed by fate, often in romance
In a Sentence: Their love was star-crossed from the start.
Other Ways to Say: Ill-fated, Destined for trouble
19. The Stars Align
Meaning: Everything happens perfectly
In a Sentence: The stars aligned for her big break.
Other Ways to Say: Perfect timing, Everything fell into place
20. Born Under a Lucky Star
Meaning: Naturally fortunate
In a Sentence: He was born under a lucky star and always succeeds.
Other Ways to Say: Blessed, Naturally favored
21. Strike Gold
Meaning: Discover great success or fortune
In a Sentence: The startup struck gold with its new app.
Other Ways to Say: Hit the jackpot, Big win
22. Win Hands Down
Meaning: Win easily
In a Sentence: She won hands down in the competition.
Other Ways to Say: Easy victory, Clear win
23. Have a Lucky Streak
Meaning: Series of fortunate events
In a Sentence: He’s on a lucky streak at the casino.
Other Ways to Say: On a roll, Hot streak
24. Fortune is on Your Side
Meaning: Favorable circumstances
In a Sentence: Fortune is on your side today!
Other Ways to Say: You’re in luck, Favorable conditions
25. Make Your Own Luck
Meaning: Create opportunities through effort
In a Sentence: She believes in making her own luck through hard work.
Other Ways to Say: Create opportunity, Shape your destiny
26. Fortunate Child
Meaning: Someone who enjoys advantages
In a Sentence: He’s a fortunate child, always getting help when needed.
Other Ways to Say: Lucky one, Blessed individual
27. Serendipity
Meaning: Finding good things unexpectedly
In a Sentence: Their meeting was pure serendipity.
Other Ways to Say: Happy accident, Fortunate coincidence
28. Chance One’s Arm
Meaning: Take a risk hoping for success
In a Sentence: She decided to chance her arm and apply for the scholarship.
Other Ways to Say: Take a chance, Roll the dice
29. Roll the Dice
Meaning: Take a risk
In a Sentence: Let’s roll the dice and see what happens.
Other Ways to Say: Take a gamble, Risk it
30. Windfall
Meaning: Unexpected gain
In a Sentence: The lottery win was a real windfall.
Other Ways to Say: Sudden gain, Unexpected bonus
31. Rabbit’s Foot
Meaning: A charm believed to bring good fortune
In a Sentence: He always carries a rabbit’s foot for luck.
Other Ways to Say: Lucky charm, Talisman
32. Feather in One’s Cap
Meaning: An achievement to be proud of
In a Sentence: Winning the award was a feather in her cap.
Other Ways to Say: Proud accomplishment, Notable success
33. Golden Opportunity
Meaning: A very favorable chance
In a Sentence: The internship was a golden opportunity for her career.
Other Ways to Say: Prime chance, Excellent opening
34. Hit the Nail on the Head
Meaning: Do something exactly right
In a Sentence: His suggestion hit the nail on the head.
Other Ways to Say: Spot on, Exactly right
35. On Cloud Nine
Meaning: Extremely happy or fortunate
In a Sentence: She was on cloud nine after hearing the good news.
Other Ways to Say: Over the moon, Ecstatic
36. Made It Big
Meaning: Achieved great success
In a Sentence: After years of effort, he finally made it big.
Other Ways to Say: Hit it big, Achieved fame
37. Golden Touch
Meaning: Ability to succeed in everything
In a Sentence: She has the golden touch in business.
Other Ways to Say: Midas touch, Magic touch
38. Come Up Roses
Meaning: Turn out well
In a Sentence: Despite the challenges, everything came up roses.
Other Ways to Say: Turn out fine, Work out well
39. Hit the Ground Running
Meaning: Start something energetically and successfully
In a Sentence: The new manager hit the ground running.
Other Ways to Say: Start strong, Begin with success
40. Break New Ground
Meaning: Do something innovative or successful
In a Sentence: The scientist broke new ground with her research.
Other Ways to Say: Innovate, Pioneer
Quiz: Choose the Correct Expression
Select the best answer (a, b, c, or d) for each question.
- What phrase means to wish someone success before a performance?
a) Hit the jackpot
b) Break a leg
c) Roll the dice
d) Cross your fingers - Which expression means success after two failed attempts?
a) Third time’s a charm
b) Lucky break
c) On a roll
d) Star-crossed - What do you say when hoping for a good outcome?
a) Knock on wood
b) Cross your fingers
c) Hit the nail on the head
d) Born with a silver spoon - Which means an unexpected favorable event?
a) Beginner’s luck
b) Lucky break
c) Feather in one’s cap
d) Pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - What phrase describes being in the perfect place at the perfect time?
a) Strike gold
b) In the right place at the right time
c) Roll the dice
d) Make your own luck - Which means born into privilege?
a) Born under a lucky star
b) Born with a silver spoon
c) Fortunate child
d) Star-crossed - What phrase means a series of fortunate events?
a) Have a lucky streak
b) Hit the jackpot
c) Windfall
d) Knock on wood - Which expression means to take a risk hoping for success?
a) Roll the dice
b) Chance one’s arm
c) Break new ground
d) Cross your fingers - What means an unexpected gain?
a) Windfall
b) Rabbit’s foot
c) Golden opportunity
d) Hit the ground running - Which phrase means an achievement to be proud of?
a) Feather in one’s cap
b) Come up roses
c) Hit the nail on the head
d) Made it big - What phrase means extremely happy or fortunate?
a) On cloud nine
b) Strike gold
c) Third time’s a charm
d) Born under a lucky star - Which means to start something energetically and successfully?
a) Hit the ground running
b) Break a leg
c) Win hands down
d) Pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - What phrase means to do something exactly right?
a) Hit the nail on the head
b) Break new ground
c) Roll the dice
d) Lucky break - Which phrase means a charm believed to bring good fortune?
a) Rabbit’s foot
b) Horseshoe up one’s sleeve
c) Golden touch
d) Luck be a lady - What phrase means to create opportunities through effort?
a) Make your own luck
b) Luck of the draw
c) On a roll
d) Star-crossed - Which means to turn out well despite challenges?
a) Come up roses
b) Win hands down
c) Strike gold
d) Born with a silver spoon - What phrase means a very favorable chance?
a) Golden opportunity
b) Windfall
c) Lucky break
d) Break new ground - Which means to experience continuous success?
a) On a roll
b) Hit the jackpot
c) Cross your fingers
d) Beginner’s luck - What phrase means to discover great success or fortune?
a) Strike gold
b) Luck of the draw
c) Roll the dice
d) Fortunate child - Which means to do something innovative or successful?
a) Break new ground
b) Hit the jackpot
c) Win hands down
d) Cross your fingers
Quiz Answers
- b) Break a leg
- a) Third time’s a charm
- b) Cross your fingers
- b) Lucky break
- b) In the right place at the right time
- b) Born with a silver spoon
- a) Have a lucky streak
- b) Chance one’s arm
- a) Windfall
- a) Feather in one’s cap
- a) On cloud nine
- a) Hit the ground running
- a) Hit the nail on the head
- a) Rabbit’s foot
- a) Make your own luck
- a) Come up roses
- a) Golden opportunity
- a) On a roll
- a) Strike gold
- a) Break new ground
Conclusion
These 40 expressions offer a rich vocabulary to describe favorable outcomes, success, and fortunate circumstances. Understanding and using them will add color and nuance to your conversations and writing. Practice with the quiz above to reinforce your learning and confidently use these phrases in everyday situations!