break a leg
A phrase of encouragement typically said to one who is about to perform before an audience, especially a theater actor. It is thought to be used due to the superstition that wishing one "good luck" will result in the opposite, but the exact origin of the phrase is unknown. You all look great in your costumes! Break a leg! Break a leg in the talent show, Danielle! A: "Good luck tonight, sweetheart." B: "No, Mom, 'good luck' is bad luck! You're supposed to say, 'Break a leg!'"
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
Break a leg!
Fig. Good luck! (A special theatrical way of wishing a performer good luck. Saying "good luck" is considered by actors to be a jinx.) "Break a leg!" shouted the stage manager to the heroine. Let's all go and do our best. Break a leg!
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
break a leg!
good luck! theatrical slangFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
break a ˈleg!
(spoken) used to wish somebody good luck: You’d better leave now if you want to arrive early for the exam. Break a leg!It is thought that wishing for something bad to happen will prevent it from happening. This expression is used especially in the theatre.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
Break a leg!
exclam. Good luck! (A special theatrical way of wishing a performer good luck. Saying good luck is considered to be a jinx.) “Break a leg!” shouted the stage manager to the heroine.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.