bad luck


Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Legal, Encyclopedia.

bad luck

1. Literally, an instance or period of misfortune. I had bad luck this year, first losing my job and then being divorced by my wife.
2. Said as an expression of condolences to a person who suffered or is suffering a misfortune. A: "They decided to hire someone else for the position." B: "Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. Bad luck, man."
See also: bad, luck

bad luck

see under run of luck.
See also: bad, luck

tough/bad ˈluck

(informal)
1 (British English) used to show sympathy for something unfortunate that has happened to somebody: ‘I failed by one point.’ ‘That’s tough luck.’
2 (also tough) (also tough ˈshit, tough ˈtitty taboo, slang) (ironic) used to show that you do not feel sorry for somebody who has a problem: ‘If you take the car, I won’t be able to go out.’ ‘Tough luck!’ ♢ If you don’t like the idea, tough. You should have said something earlier.
See also: bad, luck, tough
References in periodicals archive ?
I have known anglers who have exper-ienced a whole season of bad luck, followed by another season of sheer good fortune.
When Lady Luck smiles the fish will be biting; if she's scowling stay at home; angling: Even the most skilful still need good fortune
After that things could only get better, including bad luck.
I'm due a break in luck, not a trip to the dentist; maureen spring ON MONDAY
If someone consistently comes face to face with bad luck does despair and despondency take over?
Still fishing for an answer about elusive Lady Luck; It is said that grownmen don't cry - but don't you believe it! angling
the pub is deserted as susperstitious fans stay away from the Turks Head fearing it could have brought bad luck
Pub pays the penalty
It just seems like one thing after another and the bad luck always seems to be my side of the garage.
Burns is left curse his luck
EVIL spirits and bad luck will plague Coventry city centre during 2003 if a well-known festive superstition is anything to go by.
Chiefs shrug off 'bad luck' decorations
CAN chain letters bring bad luck if we ignore them?
Psychic Sandra: No jinx in chain letters
Considered bad luck and fair game in its native Madagascar, the cat-sized primate called aye-aye not only suffers from a bad image, but also is in danger of becoming extinct.
Aye-aye, primate ... stateside at last
Washington, July 22 (ANI): A research has indicated that people do believe that good and bad luck can be washed away.
Good and bad luck may lie in washing your hands!
GORDON Brown's bad luck continued as his final poster launch of the election was overshadowed by a car crash.
CAR CRASH DAY No2 FOR LABOUR
Such occurrences have never persuaded me that I am about to suffer bad luck or indeed enjoy a period of good luck.
Is luck really the difference in a cast of thousands?
The bad luck didn't come in Duncan Ferguson missing a gilt edged chance, or Tim Cahill spurning the kind of headed opportunity he regularly gobbled up last season; again they were instances of poor finishing.
BARRY HORNE: Fortune favoured lucky Spaniards
deserved to win the match if not for some bad luck.
CHIVAS FINDS HOPE IN TIE WITH WIZARDS CHIVAS 1, K.C. 1
The others of the tribe have cast them out, worried that the bad luck of the deaths of the rest of his family might spread.
Martin, Rafe. The world before this one; a novel told in legend
Idioms browser ?
Full browser ?