break a leg

You use it as a standalone exclamation. You can say it right before your friend walks onto a stage. You can also send it in a quick text message. It works just like saying Good luck! but feels more stylish. Just remember, you don't actually want them to get hurt. If they end up in the hospital, you used it too literally!

Use this when someone is nervous about a big moment. It is perfect for a friend's music recital. Use it when a colleague is giving a big presentation. It works great for job interviews too.

• At a restaurant: Tell a friend before they propose to their partner.
• In a meeting: Say it to a teammate before they speak.
• Texting: Send a Break a leg! emoji combo before a game.

Do not use this with people who take things literally. Your grandmother might get very worried about her bones! Avoid using it in actual medical situations. If someone is going into surgery, saying break a leg is a very bad idea. Also, avoid it in very somber or sad moments. It is a high-energy, positive expression.

This phrase comes from old theater superstitions. Actors used to believe that spirits would do the opposite of what you said. If you wished for 'good luck,' the spirits would cause a disaster. So, actors started wishing for something terrible instead. By wishing for a broken leg, they hoped the spirits would give them a perfect show. It became a standard tradition in Hollywood and Broadway.

There aren't many ways to change the words themselves. You wouldn't say break both legs unless you are being funny. In the dance world, people sometimes say Merde, which is French for 'poop.' It sounds gross, but it follows the same 'bad is good' logic. Stick to break a leg for most situations.