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luck(noun)/lʌk/ /lʌk/- good things that happen to you by chance, not because of your own efforts or abilities
SEE ALSO beginner’s luck
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/beginner-s-luck - With any luck, we'll be home before dark.
- With a bit of luck, we'll finish on time.
- So far I have had no luck with finding a job.
- I'm not having much luck with buses.
- I never had much luck (= had a successful relationship) with women.
- I could hardly believe my luck when he said yes.
- It was a stroke of luck that we found you.
- By sheer luck nobody was hurt in the explosion.
- The only goal of the match came more by luck than judgement.
- We wish her luck in her new career.
- She wears a red bracelet to bring her luck.
- You're in luck (= lucky)—there's one ticket left.
- You're out of luck. She's not here.
- What a piece of luck!
- Finally my luck ran out and they caught me trying to climb the outer wall.
Extra Examples- I haven't had much luck recently.
- I thought I was going to miss the train but luck was on my side.
- If our luck holds, we should win.
- You make your own luck in business.
- chance; the force that causes good or bad things to happen to people
SYNONYM fortune
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/fortune - to have good/bad luck
- I put the loss of the money down to pure bad luck.
- We had horrible luck with the weather.
- Chinese people believe that boys bring good luck and money to the family.
- myths based on the idea that owls bring bad luck
- She dared not trust to luck that nobody would see her.
Extra Examples- By ill luck, my flight had been cancelled.
- He went on gambling, sure his luck was about to change.
- I decided to try my luck at the roulette wheel.
- It was rotten luck to be ill on the day of the interview.
- More bad luck struck last week.
- This ring has always brought me good luck.
- My grandparents emigrated to Canada to try their luck there.
- used to ask somebody if they have been successful with something
- ‘Any luck?’ ‘No, they're all too busy to help.’
- in the way that chance decides what will happen
- As luck would have it, the train was late.
- used to express sympathy for somebody
- Bad luck, Helen, you played very well.
- It's hard luck on him that he wasn't chosen.
- What rotten luck it had to happen now!
- to have no money because of a period of bad luck
- In the movie they play two jazz musicians who are down on their luck.
- used to wish somebody success with something
- The best of luck with your exams.
- Good luck! I hope it goes well.
- ‘I'm going to try giving up social media for a year.’ ‘Good luck with that (= I don't think you will succeed).’
- used to encourage somebody who has not been successful at something
- Never mind— better luck next time.
- If you didn't win a prize, better luck next time.
- because you believe it will bring you good luck, or because this is a traditional belief
- Take something blue. It's for luck.
- I always carry it with me, just for luck.
- for no particular reason
- I gave the mixture one more stir for luck.
- used to say that you do not mind what somebody does as it does not affect you, but you hope they will be successful
- It's not something I would care to try myself but if she wants to, good luck to her.
- used to tell somebody that you feel sorry for them
- ‘Failed again, I'm afraid.’ ‘Oh, hard luck.’
- used to show you are not surprised something bad has happened to you, because you are not often lucky
- Just my luck to arrive after they had left.
- Just my luck to get the broken chair!
- used to say that somebody has been lucky or successful
- On a Sunday I didn’t expect to find him at his desk but my luck was in.
- the fact that chance decides something, in a way that you cannot control
- To a large extent the life you have depends on who your parents were; it’s just the luck of the biological draw.
- used to show that you are disappointed because something you were hoping for did not happen
- ‘Were you chosen for the team?’ ‘No such luck!’
- when you take pot luck, you choose something or go somewhere without knowing very much about it, but hope that it will be good, pleasant, etc.
SEE ALSO potluck
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/potluck - It's pot luck whether you get good advice or not.
- You're welcome to stay to supper, but you'll have to take pot luck (= eat whatever is available).
- to take a risk because you have successfully avoided problems in the past
- You didn't get caught last time, but don't push your luck!
- used to show sympathy for somebody that something bad that has happened to
- ‘I failed by one point.’ ‘That's tough luck.’
- 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!’
- to do something that involves risk or luck, hoping to succeed
- My grandparents emigrated to Canada to try their luck there.
- used to show that you are disappointed about something
- I shall have to miss the party, worse luck!
Word Origin- late Middle English (as a verb): perhaps from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch lucken. The noun use (late 15th cent.) is from Middle Low German lucke, related to Dutch geluk, German Glück, of West Germanic origin and possibly related to lock (verb).
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