Term
Fat chance!
"The boss is thinking of me for the job? Fat chance!" |
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Definition
The expression fat chance is used to indicate that something is
not very likely to happen. |
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Term
Fall into one's lap
"She's not making much effort to find work. Does she think a job will fall into her lap?" |
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Definition
| If something good falls into your lap, it happens to you without any effort on your part. |
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Term
A free ride
"Only those who share the work can share the benefits -
nobody gets a free ride!" |
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Definition
| Someone who gets a free ride benefits from a collective activity without participating in it. |
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Term
Get a second bite/ two bites at the cherry
"He was eliminated in the semi-finals but he'll get a second bite at the cherry next year." |
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Definition
| This expression means that you get a second opportunity to do or try something. |
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Term
Off-chance
"I went into the little supermarket on the off chance that I would find a map." |
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Definition
| If you do something on the off chance, you think there might be a slight possibility of success. |
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Term
It's anyone's call
"Who do you think will win?" "It's anyone's call." |
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Definition
| This expression is used when the result of a game, contest or election is difficult to predict. |
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Term
Luck of the draw
"The samples distributed varied in size and value; it was the luck of the draw!" |
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Definition
| To refer to something that happens as the luck of the draw means that it is the result of pure chance, with no possibility of choice. |
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Term
Take pot luck
"We were so hungry we decided to take pot luck and stopped at the first restaurant we saw." |
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Definition
If you take pot luck, you accept whatever is available without knowing what it will be like.
"We were so hungry we decided to take pot luck and stopped at the first restaurant we saw." |
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Term
Make hay while the sun shines
Successful sportsmen are advised to make hay while the sun
shines. |
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Definition
| This expression is used as an encouragement to take advantage of a good opportunity as long as it lasts. |
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Term
Murphy's law
"We've tried to prepare for every possible incident, but remember Murphy's law ..." |
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Definition
| Referring to Murphy's law expresses a sentiment of bad luck and the idea that if anything can go wrong, it will. |
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Term
More by accident than (by) design
"I became an interpreter more by accident than design; nobody else could speak the language of the refugees." |
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Definition
| Something which happens more by accident than (by)design is done without deliberate intention. |
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Term
Play a waiting game
"The cat kept its eyes on the bird, carefully playing a waiting game." |
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Definition
| If you play a waiting game, you deliberately delay taking action and wait for an opportunity to act more effectively later. |
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Term
Push one's luck
"You've got your father's permission to go to the concert. Don't push your luck by trying to borrow his car!" |
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Definition
| If you push your luck, you try to get more than what you have already obtained and risk spoiling the situation. |
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Term
That ship has sailed
"Is the offer this open?" "Sorry, that ship has sailed - you missed your chance!" |
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Definition
| The expression 'that ship has sailed' means that a particular opportunity has passed by and it's now too late. |
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Term
Sitting pretty
"He sold his shares at a good time so he's now sitting pretty and enjoying life." |
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Definition
| Someone who is sitting pretty is a good or fortunate situation, especially compared to others who are not so lucky. |
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Term
Strike gold
"I think she has struck gold this time in her new job.
It suits her perfectly!" |
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Definition
If you strike gold, you find exactly what you need:
satisfaction, wealth, happiness, etc. |
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Term
Strike (it) lucky
"We had a sunny week in Scotland. We struck it lucky! " |
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Definition
| When someone strikes it lucky, they run into good luck. |
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Term
Tomorrow's another day
"For the moment you need some rest; tomorrow's another day!" |
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Definition
| This expression means that even if everything is not satisfactory at present, there will be opportunity for things to improve. |
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Term
Touch wood/knock on wood
"The order will be confirmed shortly - touch wood!" |
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Definition
| This humorous expression, based on superstition, is used to avoid bad luck, often while touching something made of wood. |
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Term
Vested interest
"Tom has a vested interest in Jack's promotion; he hopes to get his job." |
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Definition
| If you have a vested interest in a situation or event, you expect to benefit or gain an advantage from it. |
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Term
Waiting in the wings
"There are many young actors waiting in the wings, ready to show their talent." |
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Definition
If someone is waiting in the wings, they are waiting for an
opportunity to take action, especially to replace someone else in their job or position. |
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Term
While the going is good
"There's a 50% discount on subscriptions this month. I think I'll subscribe while the going is good." |
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Definition
| If you take an action while the going is good, you do something before the situation changes and it becomes impossible. |
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Term
a stroke of luck
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. |
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Definition
| something good that happens to you by chance |
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Term
stand a chance
We might stand a chance of winning if we continue to play as well as we did today. |
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Definition
| to have a chance of success (usually negative) If government funding is withdrawn, small, independent theatres don't stand a chance. (often + of + doing sth) |
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Term
Better luck next time
1
Bill: That does it! I can't run any farther. Hose!
Bob: Too bad. Better luck next time.
Mary: Well, that's the end of my brand new weight lifting career.
Jane: Better luck next time.
2
Sally: I lost out to you, but I think you cheated.
Mary: Better luck next time.
Sue: You thought you could get ahead of me, you fool! Better luck next time!
Joan: I still think you cheated. |
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Definition
| 1. an expression that comforts someone for a minor failure. (Said with a pleasant tone of voice.) 2. an expression that ridicules someone for a failure. (Said with rudeness or sarcasm. The tone of voice distinguishes {2} from {2}.) |
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Term
luck of the Irish
Bill: How did you manage to do it, Jeff. Jeff: It's the luck of the Irish, I guess. |
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Definition
| luck associated with the Irish people. (Also said as a catch phrase for any kind of luck.) |
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Term
beginner's luck
I could never have accomplished this if I had practiced a lot. My win was just beginner's luck. |
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Definition
| absolute luck; the luck of an inexperienced person. (Referring to surprisingly good luck.) |
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Term
more by luck than judgement
And somehow I managed to get the ball in the net - more by luck than judgement. |
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Definition
| if you achieve something more by luck than judgement, you achieve it by chance and not because of skill |
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Term
rotten luck
I've had nothing but rotten luck all day |
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Definition
| Fig. bad luck. Of all the rotten luck! |
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Term
streak of good luck and string of good luck
After a series of failures, we started out on a streak of good luck. |
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Definition
| a series of fortunate events. |
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Term
streak of bad luck and string of bad luck
After a long string of bad luck, we finally got a lucky break. |
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Definition
| a series of events that are only bad luck. |
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Term
luck into something
The flight was pretty empty, and the passenger across from me lucked into three seats to himself |
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Definition
| to get or find something good by chance |
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