luck
/lʌk
/- If well-performed, the lion dance is believed to bring luck and happiness.
- It is believed that these purchases will bring luck and prosperity to the buyers.
- We would say good luck Latoya, but from looks of it luck will have little to do with it!
Synonyms
- He continued his good form but rode on his luck after he was dropped twice.
- All I hoped is the luck we thought was on its way to Carlow continues on its journey too.
Synonyms
- Usually, when lucking into a second chance, the thinking man will be sure to conduct himself more wisely.
- I really lucked into this and was able to get out of the other deal.
- This time I lucked into a nonstop flight that deposited me in the Rockies early enough to get a four-hour nap, so alas I really had nothing to blame my behavior on, except perhaps for my public-school education.
- I can't afford to do that often… so he lucks out there.
- I don't really care about getting a gift from a stranger, or sending one to a stranger (although that year I lucked out and got someone I know.)
- Some last minute shoppers might luck out as retailers boost perks to lure shoppers.
Phrases
as luck would have it
bad (or tough or rotten) luck
be in (or out of) luck
for luck
good (or the best of) luck
good luck to ——
one's luck is in
just one's luck
the luck of the draw
no such luck
ride one's luck
try one's luck
with (any or a bit of) luck
worse luck
Origin
Late Middle English (as a verb): perhaps from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch lucken. The noun use (late 15th century) is from Middle Low German lucke, related to Dutch geluk, German Glück, of West Germanic origin and possibly related to lock1.
The native English word for that which determines events was weird, which only came to mean strange or supernatural in the early 19th century. Destiny (Middle English) came later via French from Latin destinare ‘make firm, establish’, fate from Italian, and luck from German. The idea of lucky at cards, unlucky in love is already a commonplace in Jonathan Swift's Polite Conversation in 1738: ‘Well, Miss, you'll have a sad husband, you have such good luck at cards.’