luck

I UK [lʌk] / US noun [uncountable] **

1) success that you have by chance and not because of anything that you do

John never had much luck with girls.

wish someone luck (in/with something):

We'd all like to wish you luck in your new job.

2) an influence that seems to make things, especially good things, happen to people for no particular reason

There was an element of luck in the last goal.

good/bad luck:

He's had nothing but bad luck since moving to New York.

sheer/pure luck:

It was sheer luck that we found the house.

bring luck:

It's a custom that is believed to bring good luck.

it's bad luck (= it brings you bad luck):

Many people believe it's bad luck to walk under a ladder.

your luck runs out (= you are not lucky any more):

Their luck is bound to run out sometime.

your luck changes (= you suddenly become lucky or not lucky):

Perhaps your luck will change and you'll meet someone really nice.

your luck holds/lasts (= you continue to be lucky):

My luck held and I found a petrol station just in time.

•

any luck? — spoken used for asking someone if they were able to get or do something

"Any luck?" "No, the shop was closed."

bad/hard/tough luck — spoken used for saying you are sorry that something bad has happened to someone; spoken used for saying that you have no sympathy for someone's difficulty

"I think I've damaged my back." "Oh bad luck!"

I can't do anything about it, so tough luck.

a stroke/piece of luck — something that happens by chance and that helps you to achieve something

try/chance your luck (at something) — to try something that may not be successful

William was a gambler, ready to try his luck at anything.

- as luck would have it

- do something for luck

- down on your luck

- good luck

- good luck to someone

- in luck

- just my luck

- luck is on someone's side

- the luck of the draw

- no such luck

- not believe your luck

- out of luck

- some people have all the luck

- trust to luck

- with any luck

See:

better I, pot luck, push I, run II, worse I

II UK [lʌk] / US verb

Phrasal verbs:

- luck out