English · Greetings & Phrases
break a leg
/breɪk ə lɛɡ/
[/breɪk ə lɛɡ/]
good luck
Intermediatephrase
Definition
A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
Example
You'll be great on stage tonight — break a leg!
You'll be great on stage tonight — break a leg!
Etymology
A theatrical superstition; wishing 'good luck' directly was thought to bring bad luck.
How & Where It’s Used
Informal, used mainly before performances.
Literary Heritage
The phrase arose in 20th-century theatre tradition.