break a leg
A superstitious idiom used to wish someone good luck, primarily used in the performing arts like theater or music. It is based on the idea that wishing for the opposite of luck will prevent bad luck from occurring during a performance.
Exemples
3 sur 5I know you're nervous about your piano recital, so go out there and break a leg!
I hope your piano performance goes perfectly and you have great luck!
As you prepare to deliver the keynote address to the assembly, break a leg.
I wish you the best of luck with your important public speech.
Hey, break a leg at the audition today; I know you'll be great!
Good luck with your tryout; I am sure you will do well!
Antonymes
Famille de mots
Astuce mémo
Imagine a performer bowing so deeply and many times after a great show that they accidentally 'break a leg' from the effort.
Quiz rapide
The director walked into the dressing room and told the nervous lead actor, '_______!'
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : a
Exemples
I know you're nervous about your piano recital, so go out there and break a leg!
everydayI hope your piano performance goes perfectly and you have great luck!
As you prepare to deliver the keynote address to the assembly, break a leg.
formalI wish you the best of luck with your important public speech.
Hey, break a leg at the audition today; I know you'll be great!
informalGood luck with your tryout; I am sure you will do well!
While the expression 'break a leg' is highly idiomatic, it remains the standard greeting in theatrical discourse.
academicIn academic study of theater, this phrase is recognized as the professional way to wish luck.
You have a big presentation to the board of directors tomorrow; break a leg!
businessI wish you success on your important business presentation.
Antonymes
Famille de mots
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Fingers crossed
Hoping for good luck or a positive outcome
Knock on wood
Tapping something wooden to avoid tempting fate
Blow them away
To impress an audience thoroughly
Souvent confondu avec
This is a literal physical injury, whereas 'break a leg' is a figurative wish for luck.
This idiom means to hurry up or to start dancing, not to wish someone luck.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is traditionally used just before a performer goes on stage. It is considered bad luck to say 'good luck' in a theater, so this idiom is the polite alternative.
Erreurs courantes
Learners often use this for general luck, such as winning the lottery, but it is best reserved for performances or presentations. Also, avoid using it in the past tense ('he broke a leg') to mean luck, as that implies a literal injury.
Astuce mémo
Imagine a performer bowing so deeply and many times after a great show that they accidentally 'break a leg' from the effort.
Origine du mot
One popular theory is that the 'leg' refers to the side curtains of a stage; to 'break' them meant a performer had been called for so many encores that they passed the curtain line.
Modèles grammaticaux
Contexte culturel
Deeply rooted in Anglo-American theatrical tradition where 'good luck' is taboo.
Quiz rapide
The director walked into the dressing room and told the nervous lead actor, '_______!'
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : a
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