Twenty Five Idioms and Expressions about Chance, Luck, and Opportunity

blog home

One of the reasons English is so difficult to learn is because it is a language full of idioms. An idiom is a combination of words that has a figurative meaning separate from the actual definitions of the words used. There are an estimated 25,000 idioms in the English language. Today we’re going to look at twenty five idioms about keeping secrets.

anyone’s call – a situation in which any result, outcome, or consequence might happen
as luck would have it – an expression used to describe something useful that has happened by chance
fat chance! – an expression used to describe something that one believes has little or no chance of happening
the luck of the draw – an outcome based on chance that one doesn’t have control over
more by accident than by design – due to luck rather than skill
Murphy’s law – the imagined law of nature that anything that can go wrong will go wrong
no such luck – an expression used to convey disappointment that something won’t or is unlikely to happen
pot luck – a situation in which one has to take the chance that whatever is available will be acceptable
rotten luck! – an expression used to commiserate
that ship has sailed – that opportunity has passed
to be sitting pretty – to be in an advantageous circumstance
to get a free ride – to benefit from a situation without putting in any effort
to get a second bite at the cherry – to get a second opportunity
to have a vested interest – to have a personal reason (such as the opportunity for financial gain) for getting involved with something
to have something drop/fall into one’s lap – to have something desirable happen/to acquire something desirable without putting in any effort
to jump on the bandwagon – to join a growing movement just as it’s becoming fashionable
to luck out – to be very lucky
to make hay while the sun shines – to make the most of an opportunity while it lasts
to play the waiting game – to wait before doing something in order to do it at the most opportune moment
to push one’s luck – to take a risk in the hope that one will achieve success
to strike gold – to achieve success
to strike while the iron is hot – to make the most of an particular circumstance and use it to one’s advantage
touch/knock on the wood! – a superstitious expression said to stop a confident statement from bringing bad luck
to wait in the wings – to wait to do something at the appropriate time
while the going is good/tough – when the conditions are good/bad

If you’ve found this post useful, why not check out our other articles on idioms?

Have a great week!

16 May 2016
blog home

Twenty Five Idioms and Expressions about Chance, Luck, and Opportunity

Recent Blogs

Curriculum...

Resources...

Help...