luck

 
Pronunciation: /lʌk/

noun

[mass noun]
  • success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions: it was just luck that the first kick went in they’re supposed to bring good luck
  • chance considered as a force that causes good or bad things to happen.
  • something regarded as bringing about or portending good or bad things: I don’t like Friday—it’s bad luck

verb

[no object] (luck into/upon) informal
  • chance to find or acquire: he lucked into a disc-jockey job
  • (luck out) North American achieve success or advantage by good luck: I lucked out and found a wonderful woman

Phrases

as luck would have it

used to indicate the fortuitousness of a situation: as luck would have it, his route took him very near where they lived

bad (or tough or rotten) luck

informal used to express sympathy or commiserations: bad luck, Dora—perhaps you hit the ball a little too hard?

be in (or out of) luck

be fortunate (or unfortunate): I was in luck—the lift was working

for luck

to bring good fortune: I wear this crystal under my costume for luck

good (or the best of) luck

used to express wishes for success: good luck with your studies!

good luck to ——

used to indicate one’s support for someone’s actions despite the difficulties or risks they pose: if he wants to sell the house and go and be a doctor in Australia, then good luck to him

one's luck is in

one is fortunate.

the luck of the draw

the outcome of chance rather than something one can control: quality of care depends largely on the luck of the draw

no such luck

informal used to express disappointment that something has not happened or is unlikely to happen.

ride one's luck

let favourable events take their course without taking undue risks: the batsman rode his luck to score his second century

try one's luck

do something that involves risk or luck, hoping to succeed: he thought he’d try his luck at farming in Canada

with (any or a bit of) luck

expressing the hope that something will happen in the way described: with luck we should be there in time for breakfast

worse luck

informal used to express regret about something: I have to go to secretarial school, 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