luck

and one (more) for luck

something that you say when you add one more of something for no reason. I want you to swim ten lengths, and one for luck.

be down on your luck

to be suffering because a lot of bad things are happening to you, usually things which cause you to have no money. He plays the manager of a night-club who's down on his luck and resorts to gambling to pay his debts.

See also: down

be in luck

to be able to have or do something, especially when you do not expect to. 'Have you got any prawn sandwiches left?' 'You're in luck - this is the last one.'

be out of luck

be in luck - to be able to have or do something, especially when you do not expect to. I'm afraid you're out of luck - the concert is fully booked.

have the devil's own luck (old-fashioned)

to be very lucky. He found a job and an apartment within a week - he really has the devil's own luck, that man.

have the luck of the devil (old-fashioned)

to be very lucky. Then he won £3000 on the lottery - that man has the luck of the devil!

See also: devil

Just my luck! (humorous)

something that you say when something bad happens to you. So he left five minutes before I got here, did he? Just my luck.

See also: just

the luck of the draw

if something is the luck of the draw, it is the result of chance and you have no control over it. You can't choose who you play against. It's just the luck of the draw.

See also: draw

more by luck than judgement

if you achieve something more by luck than judgement, you achieve it by chance and not because of skill. And somehow I managed to get the ball in the net - more by luck than judgement.

See also: judgement, more

No such luck!

something that you say in order to express disappointment that you were not able to do something that you wanted to. I had hoped we'd have time for lunch somewhere. No such luck.

See also: such

push your luck

to try too hard to get a particular result and risk losing what you have achieved. Don't push your luck - they've agreed to pay your travel expenses, I don't think it would be wise to ask for more money. (usually negative)

See also: push

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 also: stroke

take pot luck

to accept or choose from whatever is available, without knowing whether it will be good or not. I took pot luck at the airport and just got on the first available flight.

See also: pot, take

try your luck

to try to achieve something although you know that you might not succeed. She had always wanted to act and, in 1959, came to London to try her luck on the stage.

See also: try

Your luck's in! (British, humorous)

something that you say in order to tell someone that you think another person would like a sexual relationship with them. Hey, Sal, your luck's in! He's yours for the asking.

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down on your luck

suffering because a lot of bad things are happening to you. For a while they were homeless, living in a shelter for families down on their luck.

Usage notes: usually said about someone who has no work or money

See also: down

in luck

experiencing a surprisingly good situation. Judy arrived for work very late, but she was in luck, as the boss was out that day.

luck into something

to get or find something good by chance. The flight was pretty empty, and the passenger across from me lucked into three seats to himself.

the luck of the draw

completely the result of chance. You can't choose whom you play against. It's just the luck of the draw.

Etymology: based on a literal meaning of a draw (= a competition in which you win if the number on your ticket is chosen)

See also: draw

luck out

to be in an unusually good situation. She lucked out, investing at just the right time to make a lot of money.

no such luck

the situation or event did not develop as you hoped it would. I believed that was the end of the conversation, but no such luck – he just kept on talking.

See also: such

out of luck

not having an opportunity or situation you want. This type of racing bike only comes in large sizes, so if you're a short person, you're out of luck.

press your luck

down on your luck

See also: press

push your luck

to expect good things to continue to happen because they have in the past. I was fortunate to survive the crash, and there was no point pushing my luck by continuing to race.

Usage notes: often used in the phrase don't push your luck: We've given you a lot of time off recently, but don't push your luck.

See also: push

a stroke of luck

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: stroke

tough luck

I do not have any sympathy for your problems. Anyone who misses three classes will fail, and if you don't like it, tough luck!

Usage notes: sometimes used to say you are sorry that someone is having problems: If a beggar approached us, she would murmur “tough luck” and give him a few coins.

tough shit

See also: tough

try your luck

to attempt something that may or may not succeed. Hundreds of fishermen had shown up early at the lake to try their luck.

See also: try