break a leg
English meaning: Break a leg
Definition
A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
Example
“You'll be great on stage tonight — break a leg!”
Another example: “You'll be brilliant in the play tonight — break a leg!”
Usage — When, Where & How
An informal idiom used to wish good luck, especially to performers before going on stage, where saying 'good luck' is traditionally considered unlucky. Theatrical and casual register; not literal.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
A theatrical superstition; wishing 'good luck' directly was thought to bring bad luck.
Synonyms
- good luck
- best of luck
- knock 'em dead
Related Words
- good luck
- theatre
- performance
- superstition
- stage
Common Collocations
- break a leg!
- tell someone to break a leg
- break a leg tonight
- wish them break a leg
- go break a leg
Word Forms
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Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B