Break a leg meaning! The following lesson provides what does “break a leg” mean, it’s origin and how to use this idiom with useful examples and ESL infographic.
Break A Leg Meaning
What Does “Break a Leg” Mean?
“Break a leg” means “good luck!”
When someone says this to you, they don’t actually mean that they want to break one of your legs. It comes from superstitious actors in the theatre where it is considered bad luck to wish an actor a good luck before they go onstage. Therefore, by saying break a leg, they are actually wishing somebody luck in an ironic way. Over the years, this expression started being used to wish someone good luck in the daily situation.
When you hear “break a leg”, it really means “do well”. Also, it can mean to work really hard at something.
In a nutshell, “break a leg” is an entertainment idiom which simply means GOOD LUCK!
Example Sentences
Some different ways of this phrase being used in context are:
- I know you can do it! Break a leg!
- You all look great in your costumes! Break a leg!
- I hope you break a leg at your job interview tomorrow.
- You will do fine on your presentation. Go break a leg out there.
- Step outside and you could break a leg slipping on your doormat.
- Just wanted to drop you a note to say break a leg and all those other theatrical cliches.
- You have an exam tomorrow. Break a leg!
- You should leave now if you want to arrive early for the exam. Break a leg!
- Break a leg! Shouted the stage director to his actors before the beginning of the play.
- When the team went out for the final race, the coach shouted out to them break a leg!
- Break a leg! I shouted out to him before he rushed in for his auditions.
Conversation Examples
Example 1:
Anna: I’m so nervous. Tonight is the first night of the play.
Sarah: Is it? Well, go out there and break a leg!
Example 2:
Tom and Jame, are having a talk before the run of Jame’s:
Tom: “You know, I wish you all the best today, Jame! Break a leg!”
Jame: “Thank you, Tom! I’ll do my best.”
Synonyms for “Break a Leg”
- Good luck
- Best wishes
- Have a blast!
- You were made for this!
- I wish you luck!
- Stroke of luck
- You’ll do great!
- All the best to you.
- I hope it all goes well!
- Bring home the trophy.
- Win big time!
- Do yourself justice.
- Hope you do well!
- I’m pretty confident that you’ll do well.
- Successfully pull off the heist!
- All the best!
- Take home the crown!
- May the force be with you!
- Be careful!
- Best of luck!
- Here’s a four-leaf clover.
- I hope things will work out all right.
- Wishing you lots of luck!
- May all of your efforts yield a positive outcome.
- You are going to be amazing!
- Better luck next time!
- Call on a higher power.
- Fingers crossed!
- Remember me when you’re famous!
- Wishing you all the best!
- Live long and prosper.
- Blow them away!
- God speed!
- I hope everything will be all right.
- Go forth and conquer.
- I hope things will turn out fine.
- Prayers are with you.
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DaIceMan
Friday 1st of July 2022
The term "break a leg" is meant to be used when someone goes to audition for a part in a play. "But why?" I hear you asking, and it's because you're basically saying you hope they get in the cast. It's funny because if you break a leg you get put in a cast, which is also what the term for the group acting is. It helps that, since it's negative, you're not actually wishing them "good luck".
English Study Online
Wednesday 27th of December 2023
That's an interesting explanation of the phrase "break a leg." It's a clever play on words and adds a bit of humor to the traditional expression of wishing someone good luck. It's always fascinating to learn about the origins and nuances of common sayings. Thank you for sharing this insight!