Some sayings help us understand big ideas in simple ways. One of those ideas is fortune. Fortune can mean good luck, a big win, or getting something you really hoped for. People often use special phrases to talk about these lucky times. These phrases are called idioms.
Idioms are fun to learn because they don’t always mean what they sound like. For example, if someone says “struck gold,” they don’t mean they actually hit real gold—they just found something really valuable. In this article, we will explore idioms that talk about fortune. These will help you understand how people talk about luck and success in everyday life.
Idioms About Fortune
1. Struck gold
Meaning: Found something very valuable or lucky.
Example Sentence:
• Jenna struck gold when she found a rare card in her cereal box.
• The family struck gold with their new business idea.
Other ways to say: Hit the jackpot, found treasure
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from people digging and finding real gold in the ground.
Usage: Used when someone finds something valuable or lucky.
2. Luck of the draw
Meaning: Good or bad fortune based on chance.
Example Sentence:
• It was just the luck of the draw that I got the last slice of pizza.
• He got the best seat on the bus thanks to the luck of the draw.
Other ways to say: Just chance, random luck
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from card games where cards are picked at random.
Usage: Used when something happens by pure chance.
3. Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth
Meaning: Born into a rich or lucky family.
Example Sentence:
• Jason never had to worry about money—he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
• She grew up in a mansion because she had a silver spoon in her mouth.
Other ways to say: Privileged from birth, grew up rich
Fun Fact/Origin: Long ago, silver spoons were gifts for rich babies.
Usage: Used for people who have been lucky since birth.
4. On a lucky streak
Meaning: Having a series of lucky events.
Example Sentence:
• She’s on a lucky streak—she’s won every game this week.
• I’m on a lucky streak with good grades lately.
Other ways to say: On a roll, in a winning mood
Fun Fact/Origin: The word “streak” means something happening again and again.
Usage: Used when someone keeps having good luck.
5. Hit the jackpot
Meaning: Got something very good or lucky.
Example Sentence:
• We hit the jackpot with those front-row tickets!
• He hit the jackpot when he got picked for the school trip.
Other ways to say: Scored big, won big
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from gambling when someone wins a big prize.
Usage: Used when someone gets something great or lucky.
6. Lucked out
Meaning: Got very lucky.
Example Sentence:
• We lucked out with perfect weather for our field trip.
• She lucked out and got a ride home just before the rain.
Other ways to say: Got lucky, had good fortune
Fun Fact/Origin: Though it sounds negative, “lucked out” means something good.
Usage: Used when someone benefits from a lucky situation.
7. In the right place at the right time
Meaning: In a lucky spot just when needed.
Example Sentence:
• He was in the right place at the right time to catch the bus.
• She got a free sample because she was in the right place at the right time.
Other ways to say: Perfect timing, got lucky
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom is used when luck helps because of good timing.
Usage: Used when good luck comes from being somewhere at the best moment.
8. Third time’s the charm
Meaning: Success comes after failing twice.
Example Sentence:
• I finally passed my bike test—the third time’s the charm!
• He got the ball in the hoop on his third try.
Other ways to say: Try again, keep going
Fun Fact/Origin: People often say this when trying something for the third time.
Usage: Used to encourage someone to keep trying because success may come next.
9. Break a leg
Meaning: A way to wish someone good luck.
Example Sentence:
• Break a leg on your spelling bee today!
• Before the show, they told her to break a leg.
Other ways to say: Good luck, do great
Fun Fact/Origin: Actors say this to each other so they don’t “jinx” the show.
Usage: Used to wish someone good luck before a big event.
10. Knock on wood
Meaning: Said to avoid bad luck after talking about good luck.
Example Sentence:
• I haven’t been sick all year—knock on wood!
• He said his car never breaks down, then knocked on wood.
Other ways to say: Hope it stays that way, fingers crossed
Fun Fact/Origin: Long ago, people knocked on trees to chase away bad spirits.
Usage: Used after saying something good to keep luck going.
11. Grasp at straws
Meaning: Try anything to get lucky or solve a problem.
Example Sentence:
• He was grasping at straws, hoping to find his lost keys.
• She guessed on the test, just grasping at straws.
Other ways to say: Take a wild guess, try anything
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from people in danger grabbing at anything to stay safe.
Usage: Used when someone is trying hard but without a good plan.
12. Lucky break
Meaning: A sudden, unexpected piece of good luck.
Example Sentence:
• Getting that summer job was a lucky break.
• She had a lucky break when her lost puppy came home.
Other ways to say: Good turn, chance win
Fun Fact/Origin: “Break” can mean a moment of change—here, it’s a good one.
Usage: Used when something good happens by surprise.
13. Riding high
Meaning: Doing very well or feeling very lucky.
Example Sentence:
• After winning the race, he was riding high.
• The team was riding high after three wins in a row.
Other ways to say: Feeling great, on top
Fun Fact/Origin: Horses that win are said to be “riding high.”
Usage: Used when someone is doing great or having lots of luck.
14. Touch of luck
Meaning: A small bit of good fortune.
Example Sentence:
• With a touch of luck, they made it to the party on time.
• She found a dollar on the ground—just a touch of luck.
Other ways to say: Bit of luck, slight good fortune
Fun Fact/Origin: A “touch” means just a little, making this about small luck.
Usage: Used when someone gets a little lucky.
15. Pot of gold
Meaning: A great reward or big prize.
Example Sentence:
• He thought his new idea would lead to a pot of gold.
• Chasing fame can feel like hunting a pot of gold.
Other ways to say: Big prize, treasure
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the old tale of a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
Usage: Used when someone hopes for or gets a big reward.
16. Hit it big
Meaning: Become very successful or lucky.
Example Sentence:
• She hit it big with her first song on the radio.
• His lemonade stand hit it big during the heatwave.
Other ways to say: Made it, got lucky
Fun Fact/Origin: “Big” shows that the success is large and exciting.
Usage: Used when someone becomes successful quickly.
17. Fortune smiled on
Meaning: Someone got lucky or had good luck.
Example Sentence:
• Fortune smiled on us—we got free passes to the zoo.
• Fortune smiled on him, and it didn’t rain on his big day.
Other ways to say: Got lucky, good things happened
Fun Fact/Origin: Long ago, fortune was drawn as a person who gives luck.
Usage: Used when someone is very lucky.
18. Roll of the dice
Meaning: A risky action that might bring luck.
Example Sentence:
• Starting his new job was a roll of the dice.
• Going outside without an umbrella was a roll of the dice.
Other ways to say: Chance, gamble
Fun Fact/Origin: From dice games, where players take chances.
Usage: Used when someone tries something risky hoping for luck.
19. Blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad but brings good luck later.
Example Sentence:
• Missing the bus was a blessing in disguise—it broke down later.
• Her lost homework was a blessing in disguise because she rewrote it better.
Other ways to say: Hidden good, lucky mistake
Fun Fact/Origin: “Disguise” means hidden, and the good is hiding inside.
Usage: Used when something unlucky turns out to be lucky.
20. Green light
Meaning: Permission or luck to start something.
Example Sentence:
• The coach gave us the green light to try a new play.
• They got the green light to build the treehouse.
Other ways to say: Go ahead, all clear
Fun Fact/Origin: From traffic lights, where green means go.
Usage: Used when someone is allowed or lucky enough to begin.
21. Take a chance
Meaning: Try something that might work out well.
Example Sentence:
• He took a chance and asked her to the dance.
• We took a chance on that new restaurant.
Other ways to say: Give it a shot, risk it
Fun Fact/Origin: A “chance” means an opening where something might go right.
Usage: Used when someone tries something even without a sure outcome.
22. Hit pay dirt
Meaning: Find or get something valuable.
Example Sentence:
• They hit pay dirt when they found their lost puppy.
• Her science project hit pay dirt with that cool discovery.
Other ways to say: Struck gold, big find
Fun Fact/Origin: From mining—“pay dirt” was earth that had gold in it.
Usage: Used when something lucky or rich is discovered.
23. Bless your lucky stars
Meaning: Be thankful for good fortune.
Example Sentence:
• Bless your lucky stars the test was postponed!
• He blessed his lucky stars that he remembered his homework.
Other ways to say: Be thankful, thank goodness
Fun Fact/Origin: People used to believe stars controlled fate.
Usage: Used when something good happens and someone feels grateful.
24. Ride your luck
Meaning: Keep taking chances while things are going well.
Example Sentence:
• He kept guessing and riding his luck through the quiz.
• She rode her luck and kept winning at the game.
Other ways to say: Keep going, stay lucky
Fun Fact/Origin: Like a wave, luck can be “ridden” while it lasts.
Usage: Used when someone keeps trying because luck is on their side.
25. Golden opportunity
Meaning: A very good chance for success or gain.
Example Sentence:
• The art contest was a golden opportunity to show her talent.
• He didn’t want to miss this golden opportunity to join the team.
Other ways to say: Perfect chance, lucky chance
Fun Fact/Origin: Gold is valuable, so a “golden” chance is really good.
Usage: Used for chances that are rare and worth taking.
26. Make a killing
Meaning: Make a lot of money quickly.
Example Sentence:
• He made a killing selling lemonade on a hot day.
• They made a killing at the yard sale.
Other ways to say: Earn big, gain a lot
Fun Fact/Origin: “Killing” means a huge win, not something bad here.
Usage: Used when someone gets a big reward or money.
27. Hand of fate
Meaning: A mysterious power that brings luck or change.
Example Sentence:
• The hand of fate helped them meet again.
• It felt like the hand of fate when they won the raffle.
Other ways to say: Destiny, twist of fate
Fun Fact/Origin: People once believed fate was a person guiding life.
Usage: Used when something lucky feels guided by something unseen.
28. Have a lucky charm
Meaning: Have something that brings you luck.
Example Sentence:
• He always carries a coin as his lucky charm.
• Her bracelet is her lucky charm during spelling tests.
Other ways to say: Lucky item, good luck charm
Fun Fact/Origin: People around the world use charms for good fortune.
Usage: Used when something is believed to bring luck.
29. Favor the bold
Meaning: Luck often helps brave people.
Example Sentence:
• He asked the principal for a day off—favor the bold!
• She tried out for the team, believing that fortune favors the bold.
Other ways to say: Be brave, take risks
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from an old Latin saying used by soldiers.
Usage: Used to encourage brave actions, trusting luck will follow.
30. Good things come to those who wait
Meaning: Being patient can bring good luck.
Example Sentence:
• He waited for the sale, and it was worth it—good things come to those who wait.
• She didn’t rush and got the best deal.
Other ways to say: Be patient, wait for it
Fun Fact/Origin: This old saying teaches people not to rush.
Usage: Used when patience brings good fortune.
Quiz: Idioms About Fortune
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “struck gold” mean?
A) Found a rock
B) Found something valuable or lucky
C) Found something heavy
2. What does “born with a silver spoon in your mouth” mean?
A) You like eating with silver
B) You were born with a tooth
C) You were born into a rich or lucky family
3. If someone says “third time’s the charm,” what do they mean?
A) You should quit after three tries
B) The third try will bring success
C) You only get three chances
4. What does “roll of the dice” mean?
A) A type of game
B) A risky action that might bring luck
C) Something safe
5. What does it mean if someone “hits the jackpot”?
A) They lost a game
B) They found a coin
C) They got something great or lucky
6. What does “blessing in disguise” mean?
A) Something that seems bad but ends up good
B) A gift from a friend
C) A real blessing
7. What does “in the right place at the right time” mean?
A) You are lost
B) You are lucky to be somewhere at the best moment
C) You are always late
8. If someone is “riding high,” what does that mean?
A) They are on a horse
B) They are feeling down
C) They are doing very well
9. What does “green light” mean?
A) A light at school
B) Permission or luck to start something
C) A signal to stop
10. What does “fortune smiled on her” mean?
A) She smiled at someone
B) She had bad luck
C) She got lucky
11. If someone “grasped at straws,” what were they doing?
A) Holding real straws
B) Trying anything to fix a problem
C) Picking up trash
12. What does “hit pay dirt” mean?
A) You fell in the mud
B) You lost your prize
C) You found something valuable
13. What does “good things come to those who wait” mean?
A) Be patient, and good luck will come
B) Wait too long and miss out
C) Always be the last in line
Answer Key
- B) Found something valuable or lucky
- C) You were born into a rich or lucky family
- B) The third try will bring success
- B) A risky action that might bring luck
- C) They got something great or lucky
- A) Something that seems bad but ends up good
- B) You are lucky to be somewhere at the best moment
- C) They are doing very well
- B) Permission or luck to start something
- C) She got lucky
- B) Trying anything to fix a problem
- C) You found something valuable
- A) Be patient, and good luck will come
Wrapping Up
Idioms about fortune help us talk about luck in fun ways. Whether it’s “striking gold” or being “in the right place at the right time,” these phrases show how people feel about good chances and success. They make our language more colorful and help us explain lucky moments.
Try using these idioms in real life. They are easy to remember and fun to share. And who knows—you might just hit the jackpot with your new knowledge.