fortune (redirected from fortunes)

a stroke of luck

Fig. a bit of luck; a lucky happening. I had a stroke of luck and found Tom at home when I called. He's not usually there. Unless I have a stroke of luck, I'm not going to finish this report by tomorrow.

See also: luck, stroke

come into (some) money and come into a (small) fortune

to get some money unexpectedly, usually by inheritance. She came into a lot of money when she turned twenty. I hope I can come into some money some day.

See also: come, money

Every man is the architect of his own fortune.

Prov. Your own decisions and your own actions determine what your life will be like. The teacher told us, "If you work hard, you can become whatever you want. Every man is the architect of his own fortune." You shouldn't blame other people for your problems. Every man is the architect of his own fortune.

See also: every, his, man

Fortune favors the brave. and Fortune favors the bold.

Prov. You will have good luck if you carry out your plans boldly. (Used to encourage people to have the courage to carry out their plans.) Fortune favors the bold, Bob. Quit your day job and work on your novel full-time. Jill: Let's wait till next year before trying to start our own business. Jane: No. We'll do it this year. Fortune favors the brave.

See also: brave, favor

small fortune

a rather sizeable amount of money. This set of wheels cost me a small fortune. I've got a small fortune tied up in test equipment.

See also: small

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a hostage to fortune  (formal)

if something is a hostage to fortune, it could be harmed by things that happen in the future Inviting terrorists to take part in the talks has created a hostage to fortune. (formal)

See also: hostage

a small fortune

a lot of money Her hair ought to look good - she spends a small fortune on it.

See also: small

a soldier of fortune  (literary)

someone who fights for any country or group that will pay him A soldier of fortune in the service of both Christian and Muslim kings, he was constantly fighting from 1065.

See also: soldier

a stroke of luck

something good that happens to you by chance Phil was driving up to Manchester that evening and gave me a lift so that was a stroke of luck. By a stroke of luck, someone at work happened to be selling very cheaply exactly the piece of equipment that I needed.

See put off stride

See also: luck, stroke

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a stroke of luck also a stroke of fortune

something good that happens to you when you do not expect it To walk in and get a job like that was an incredible stroke of luck.

See also: luck, stroke