break a leg

break a leg

Meaning | Synonyms

• good luck
• best wishes
• stroke of luck
• to wish someone luck especially before a performance

Example Sentences

1. “Break a leg!” shouted the stage director to his actors before the beginning of the play.
2. You have an exam tomorrow? Break a leg!
3. “My first stage performance is scheduled for tonight.” “Well, break a leg!”
4. “Break a leg!” I shouted out to him before he rushed in for his auditions.
5. When the team went out for the final race, the coach shouted out to them “break a leg!”
6. I wish you good luck on the completion of your book writing for publishing. Break a leg!

Origin

This phrase has its origin in the world of theater. Performers had a superstition that saying “good luck” would actually bring them bad luck, so “break a leg” was used instead.