Entry 1
A blessing in disguise
Meaning An apparent misfortune that works to the eventual benefit of the recipient.
Usage Widely used.
Example
- Breaking my arm was a blessing in disguise. I married the nurse.
Pronunciation
Idioms · 20 entries
Luck
What does "Luck" mean?
An apparent misfortune that works to the eventual benefit of the recipient.
A blessing in disguise
The United Kingdom.
A toss up
The United Kingdom. An allusion to tossing a coin to decide an outcome.
Ace in the hole
Close but no cigar
USA, mid-20th century.
Cross your fingers
Britain, 18th century.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Britain, 16th century proverb.
Down to the wire
Go out on a limb
USA, 19th century.
It’s a small world
Britain, in an 1873 novel by G. Chesney.
Knock on wood
USA, early 20th century. Other variants, like ‘touch wood’ are earlier.
On a wing and a prayer
USA. From a 1940s film script.
Once in a blue moon
Britain, 19th century.
Out of the blue
Britain, 19th century (as ‘a bolt from the blue’).
Straight from the horses mouth
Uncertain origin, probably 20th century USA.
Stranger things have happened
Third time lucky
Britain, 19th century.
Third times a charm
Originated in Ireland in the 1830s and was later adopted in American speech.
Unlucky in love
Your guess is as good as mine
Britain, 20th century.
Your number is up
1. Britain, early 20th century. 2. Britain, early 19th century.
Entry 2
A toss up
Meaning 1. The flip of a coin to decide on something. 2. A result, usually between two courses of action, which is uncertain and could go either way.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- 1. Before the game we tossed up to decide which direction we would be playing. 2. Who will win the Premiership this year? It looks pretty even. I’d say it’s a toss up.
Pronunciation
Entry 3
Ace in the hole
Meaning A saved, hidden advantage that can supply a victory when revealed.
Usage Used worldwide, but not commonly so.
Example
- Pete Townshend thought ’I can see for miles’ was a sure-fire hit and he saved it, as an ace in the hole, until he needed to boost the group’s success.
Pronunciation
Entry 4
Close but no cigar
Meaning Very near to success but falling short.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Ten hits in a row gets you a prize. Nine for you Jack. Sorry - close but no cigar.
Pronunciation
Entry 5
Cross your fingers
Meaning To hope that something happens.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Cross your fingers - I've put £500 in number 29.
Pronunciation
Entry 6
Don't count your chickens before they hatch
Meaning Don't count on receiving some benefit until you actually have it.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- I know you felt good about that exam, but you haven't passed until you get the result - don't count your chickens.
Pronunciation
Entry 7
Down to the wire
Meaning Not decided until the very last minute.
Example
- Jonny Wilkinson's last minute score in the world cup gave England the win. It went right down to the wire.
Pronunciation
Entry 8
Go out on a limb
Meaning Take a risk to support someone or something.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- He knew his boss was an army man, so saying that he was against the war was really going out on a limb.
Pronunciation
Entry 9
It's a small world
Meaning Said when people meet unexpectedly, away from their usual haunts.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- I went to New York and the first person I met was the guy from next door. it's a small world alright.
Pronunciation
Entry 10
Knock on wood
Meaning Knuckle tapping on wood in order to avoid bad luck or to continue having good luck.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- I have never broken a bone - touch wood.
Pronunciation
Entry 11
On a wing and a prayer
Meaning In a difficult situation and reliant on luck to get out of it.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Jean was out on her feet after two miles. She was on a wing and a prayer to get to the end of the marathon.
Pronunciation
Entry 12
Once in a blue moon
Meaning A rare occurrence.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- West Bromwich Albion have won the cup. but only every once in a blue moon.
Pronunciation
Entry 13
Out of the blue
Meaning Suddenly and unexpectedly.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- We were sunbathing and then it just started to hail. It was literally out of the blue.
Pronunciation
Entry 14
Straight from the horses mouth
Meaning Heard from the authoritative source.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- There's going to be an election in May. My sister is the Prime Ministers secretary so I got that straight from the horses mouth.
Pronunciation
Entry 15
Stranger things have happened
Meaning Said when the feasibility of some unlikely event is questioned.
Usage Mostly Britain.
Example
- Jamie says he just saw a chimp waiting at the bus stop. I don't really believe him, but then, stranger things have happened.
Pronunciation
Entry 16
Third time lucky
Meaning Said when trying something for the third time.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Two divorces and now I'm engaged again. Let's hope it's third time lucky.
Pronunciation
Entry 17
Third times a charm
Meaning The third try is often successful.
Usage Worldwide, but more common in the USA than elsewhere.
Example
- Have you noticed that, in TV dramas, when the police try a lock with a set of keys it's always the third that works. They must think third times a charm.
Pronunciation
Entry 18
Unlucky in love
Meaning Having been unable to find a long-term romantic partner.
Example
- Jane's so unlucky in love. That's the third time she's been engaged only to have it broken off.
Pronunciation
Entry 19
Your guess is as good as mine
Meaning I have no idea.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Who will win the Grand National this year? Your guess is as good as mine.
Pronunciation
Entry 20
Your number is up
Meaning It is now your turn. For instance, if 1. You are about to die. or 2. You have won a lottery.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- 1. When I heard the bombers screaming towards us I was sure my number was up. 2. Who has ticket number 374? Come on down and collect your prize - your number is up.
Pronunciation