luck

luck1 [ lʌk ] noun uncount **

1. ) success that you have by chance and not because of anything you do:

John never had much luck with girls.

wish someone luck (in/with something): We'd all like to wish you luck in your new job.

2. ) an influence that seems to make things, especially good things, happen to people for no particular reason:

There was an element of luck in the last basket.

good/bad luck: He's had nothing but bad luck since moving to New York.

sheer/pure luck: It was sheer luck that we found the house.

bring luck: It's a custom that is believed to bring good luck.

it's bad luck (=it brings you bad luck): Many people believe it's bad luck to walk under a ladder.

your luck runs out (=you are not lucky any more): Their luck is bound to run out sometime.

your luck changes (=you suddenly become lucky or not lucky): Perhaps your luck will change and you'll meet someone really nice.

your luck holds/lasts (=you continue to be lucky): My luck held and I found a gas station just in time.

any luck? SPOKEN

used for asking someone if they were able to get or do something

as luck would have it

used for saying that you were or were not lucky in some way:

As luck would have it, there was one seat left.

better luck next time SPOKEN

used for encouraging someone who has not been successful at something

do something for luck

to do something that you think could make you lucky:

I always wear this necklace for luck.

down on your luck

having a long period of difficulty finding work and earning money

good luck/best of luck

used for telling someone that you wish them success:

Good luck in your driving test!

good luck to someone SPOKEN

used for saying that you do not care what someone does and doubt they will be successful:

If he wants to ask for a pay raise, good luck to him!

in luck

able to get or do something you wanted that did not seem likely:

You're in luck. We have one pair left in your size.

just my luck SPOKEN

used for saying that something bad happened because you are not a lucky person

luck is on someone's side

if luck is on your side, things happen the way you want them to

the luck of the draw

used for saying people have limited control over what life brings them

no such luck SPOKEN

used for saying that something good that might have happened did not happen

not believe your luck

to feel that something extremely lucky has happened to you:

She couldn't believe her luck at meeting him.

out of luck

unable to have or do something that you wanted

push your luck

to risk losing what you have already achieved by trying to do or get more

a run of bad luck

a number of bad things happening close together in time

some people have all the luck

used for saying someone has more success than they deserve

a stroke/piece of luck

something that happens by chance and helps you achieve something

tough luck SPOKEN

used for saying you have no sympathy for someone's difficulty

trust to luck

to believe the things that should happen will happen

try/chance your luck (at something)

to try something that may not be successful

with any luck/with a little luck

used for saying that you hope a particular thing happens:

With any luck, this time next year I'll be living in France.

=> POT LUCK

luck

luck 2 [ lʌk ] verb

,luck `into phrasal verb transitive AMERICAN INFORMAL

to find or achieve something good by chance:

I lucked into a great apartment on the beach.

,luck `out phrasal verb intransitive INFORMAL

to be lucky:

We lucked out and got the last two tickets.