Superstitions have been part of American life for many generations. People in the USA often have certain beliefs or sayings that they think can bring good luck or prevent bad luck. These ideas are passed down from parents, grandparents, and friends. Some come from old traditions, while others are just fun habits people keep. Even today, many still use special phrases to talk about these beliefs.
Idioms about superstitions help make conversations more interesting. They can share warnings, give advice, or bring a bit of humor. From talking about black cats to knocking on wood, these idioms connect people to old customs. In this article, we will look at common idioms about superstitions, see what they mean, and learn how they are used in daily American conversations.
Idioms About Superstitions
1. Knock on wood
Meaning: Saying this is believed to keep bad luck away after talking about good fortune.
Example Sentence: “I haven’t been sick all year, knock on wood.” “The weather’s been great for our trip, knock on wood.”
Other ways to say: Touch wood, hope it stays this way
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from an old belief that spirits lived in trees, and touching wood would protect you.
Usage: Used after saying something positive to avoid “jinxing” it.
2. Cross your fingers
Meaning: A gesture or phrase for wishing for good luck.
Example Sentence: “I have a big test today, cross your fingers for me.” “She crossed her fingers hoping it wouldn’t rain.”
Other ways to say: Wish me luck, hope for the best
Fun Fact/Origin: Dates back to early Christianity, where crossing fingers symbolized faith and protection.
Usage: Used before or during a hopeful situation.
3. Break a leg
Meaning: A way to wish someone good luck without saying “good luck.”
Example Sentence: “You’ll do great in the school play—break a leg.” “Break a leg on your job interview today.”
Other ways to say: Give it your best, do well out there
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from theater traditions where saying “good luck” was considered unlucky.
Usage: Common before performances or big events.
4. Spill the salt
Meaning: Spilling salt is thought to bring bad luck unless you throw some over your left shoulder.
Example Sentence: “Oh no, I spilled the salt—better toss some over my shoulder.” “She quickly threw salt over her shoulder after spilling it.”
Other ways to say: Ward off bad luck, keep the bad spirits away
Fun Fact/Origin: This belief dates back to ancient times when salt was valuable and linked to protection from evil.
Usage: Used when salt is spilled at the table.
5. Black cat crossing your path
Meaning: A sign of bad luck in some American traditions.
Example Sentence: “I was on my way to work when a black cat crossed my path.” “She laughed and said the cat meant trouble.”
Other ways to say: Bad omen, unlucky sign
Fun Fact/Origin: Originated in Europe where black cats were linked to witchcraft.
Usage: Used when noticing a black cat in front of you.
6. Step on a crack, break your mother’s back
Meaning: A playful superstition that stepping on cracks can bring harm to your mom.
Example Sentence: “We avoided cracks on the sidewalk just in case.” “The kids were chanting the rhyme as they walked.”
Other ways to say: Avoid the cracks, don’t step there
Fun Fact/Origin: Popularized as a playground rhyme in the early 1900s.
Usage: Used in games and joking situations.
7. Friday the 13th
Meaning: A date thought to bring bad luck.
Example Sentence: “I don’t like traveling on Friday the 13th.” “They joked about bad things happening because of the date.”
Other ways to say: Unlucky day, cursed date
Fun Fact/Origin: Combines the number 13’s bad luck with Friday’s old superstition of misfortune.
Usage: Mentioned when the calendar date is Friday the 13th.
8. Lucky penny
Meaning: Finding a penny brings good luck, especially if it’s heads up.
Example Sentence: “Look, a lucky penny! Pick it up.” “She kept the lucky penny in her wallet.”
Other ways to say: Good omen, small blessing
Fun Fact/Origin: Pennies were once seen as charms to ward off evil.
Usage: Used when finding a coin on the ground.
9. Stumbling upon a four-leaf clover
Meaning: Finding one is believed to bring good fortune.
Example Sentence: “She found a four-leaf clover in the park.” “We searched the grass for hours for one.”
Other ways to say: Good luck charm, rare find
Fun Fact/Origin: Four-leaf clovers are rare, with only about 1 in 5,000 clovers having four leaves.
Usage: Used when talking about finding something rare and lucky.
10. Touch red for luck
Meaning: Touching something red is thought to bring good luck in some traditions.
Example Sentence: “He touched the red wall before the big game.” “She said touching red helps her win.”
Other ways to say: Bring luck, lucky color
Fun Fact/Origin: The color red has long been linked to strength and protection.
Usage: Used before events where luck is wanted.
11. Throw a coin in a fountain
Meaning: Doing this while making a wish is believed to make it come true.
Example Sentence: “We tossed coins into the fountain for good luck.” “She made a wish as the coin hit the water.”
Other ways to say: Make a wish, wish ritual
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from ancient Rome where water was linked to gods and blessings.
Usage: Used when visiting fountains or wishing wells.
12. Carry a rabbit’s foot
Meaning: A charm thought to bring good luck.
Example Sentence: “He kept a rabbit’s foot on his keychain.” “She said it helped her win the lottery.”
Other ways to say: Good luck charm, talisman
Fun Fact/Origin: Belief came from African-American folklore and spread across the USA.
Usage: Used as a personal luck charm.
13. Find a horseshoe
Meaning: A symbol of protection and good luck, especially if hung with the open end up.
Example Sentence: “They nailed the horseshoe above the door.” “I found a rusty horseshoe while hiking.”
Other ways to say: Lucky sign, protective charm
Fun Fact/Origin: Horseshoes made of iron were thought to scare away evil spirits.
Usage: Used for home decoration or good luck.
14. Make a wish on a shooting star
Meaning: Seeing one is thought to bring luck if you make a wish quickly.
Example Sentence: “We saw a shooting star and wished for happiness.” “He closed his eyes and made a wish.”
Other ways to say: Wish upon a star, lucky star sighting
Fun Fact/Origin: Ancient Greeks believed falling stars were signs from the gods.
Usage: Used during stargazing or night events.
15. Bad things come in threes
Meaning: A belief that misfortunes happen in sets of three.
Example Sentence: “Two bad things happened—waiting for the third.” “They said the accidents were part of the ‘three rule.’”
Other ways to say: Trouble comes in sets, triple misfortune
Fun Fact/Origin: This belief is common in both Europe and the USA.
Usage: Used after two bad events to expect another.
16. Cross a path with a ladder
Meaning: Walking under a ladder brings bad luck.
Example Sentence: “He went around the ladder just in case.” “She said it’s unlucky to walk under one.”
Other ways to say: Avoid bad luck, steer clear
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old beliefs about ladders forming a “triangle” symbol of life.
Usage: Used when warning someone to avoid ladders.
17. Toss rice at a wedding
Meaning: Symbolizes good luck and prosperity for the couple.
Example Sentence: “Guests tossed rice as they left the church.” “We gave little bags of rice to throw.”
Other ways to say: Celebrate the couple, wish them well
Fun Fact/Origin: An old tradition to bless marriages with fertility and happiness.
Usage: Used during wedding celebrations.
18. Whistling indoors brings bad luck
Meaning: A superstition that whistling inside attracts misfortune.
Example Sentence: “Don’t whistle in here, it’s bad luck.” “He stopped whistling after hearing the superstition.”
Other ways to say: Don’t whistle, keep quiet indoors
Fun Fact/Origin: Believed by sailors to summon storms.
Usage: Used in homes or workplaces.
19. Lucky number seven
Meaning: Seven is often seen as a number that brings good luck.
Example Sentence: “Her lucky number is seven, so she chose it for the raffle.” “He bets on number seven every time.”
Other ways to say: Good number, lucky pick
Fun Fact/Origin: Rooted in religious and cultural traditions valuing the number.
Usage: Used in games, gambling, and sports.
20. Wishbone pull
Meaning: Two people pull a turkey wishbone; the person with the bigger piece gets their wish.
Example Sentence: “We pulled the wishbone after Thanksgiving dinner.” “He got the bigger piece and made a wish.”
Other ways to say: Wish game, lucky break
Fun Fact/Origin: Dates back to ancient Rome; popular in American Thanksgiving tradition.
Usage: Used after eating turkey meals.
21. Don’t open an umbrella indoors
Meaning: Opening one inside is thought to bring bad luck.
Example Sentence: “She closed it quickly so it wouldn’t be bad luck.” “He laughed but still didn’t open it inside.”
Other ways to say: Avoid bad luck, keep it closed indoors
Fun Fact/Origin: Possibly from old beliefs that it insulted the sun god.
Usage: Used when someone brings an umbrella inside.
22. Itchy palms mean money
Meaning: An itchy right palm means you’ll get money, left palm means you’ll lose it.
Example Sentence: “My palm’s itchy—maybe I’ll get a bonus.” “She joked about her left palm meaning bills were coming.”
Other ways to say: Money’s coming, money’s leaving
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old folk sayings passed through generations.
Usage: Used when talking about money luck.
23. Throw salt over your shoulder
Meaning: Done to reverse bad luck after spilling it.
Example Sentence: “He threw salt over his left shoulder to be safe.” “She laughed and said it’s better to be cautious.”
Other ways to say: Ward off bad luck, keep evil away
Fun Fact/Origin: The left shoulder was thought to be where evil spirits linger.
Usage: Used right after spilling salt.
24. Candle flame flickering
Meaning: If a candle flickers without wind, it’s thought someone’s thinking of you.
Example Sentence: “The candle flickered—maybe someone’s talking about me.” “She smiled when she saw the flame dance.”
Other ways to say: Someone’s thinking of you, someone’s speaking your name
Fun Fact/Origin: Linked to old beliefs about spirits and messages.
Usage: Used during candle-lit events.
25. Wish at 11:11
Meaning: Making a wish when the clock shows 11:11 brings good luck.
Example Sentence: “It’s 11:11—make a wish.” “She paused to wish when she saw the time.”
Other ways to say: Lucky time, make a wish
Fun Fact/Origin: Popularized in modern culture through social media and schoolyard talk.
Usage: Used when noticing the time on clocks or phones.
Quiz: Idioms About Superstitions
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Only one answer is correct.
Question Key
1. What does “knock on wood” mean?
A) To ask for money
B) To avoid bad luck after saying something good
C) To start a new project
2. If someone says “break a leg” before your game, what do they mean?
A) They want you to get hurt
B) They are wishing you good luck
C) They are telling you to take a break
3. What is the meaning of “black cat crossing your path” in American superstition?
A) You will have good luck all day
B) It’s a sign of bad luck
C) You will meet a friend soon
4. Why do people throw coins into a fountain?
A) To hear the splash
B) To make a wish
C) To clean the fountain
5. What happens if you find a four-leaf clover?
A) You will have good luck
B) You will have bad luck
C) You will lose something important
6. Why do people avoid walking under ladders?
A) It is considered bad luck
B) It takes too long
C) It might break the ladder
7. What does “bad things come in threes” mean?
A) Three good things will happen
B) Misfortune often happens in groups of three
C) Only three bad things happen each year
8. Why do two people pull a wishbone?
A) To see who is stronger
B) To decide who eats more turkey
C) To see whose wish might come true
9. What is “lucky number seven”?
A) A number many believe brings good fortune
B) A number that always wins the lottery
C) A number to avoid at all costs
10. Why do some people make a wish at 11:11?
A) Because the number is rare
B) Because it is thought to bring good luck
C) Because it’s almost lunchtime
Answer Key
- B) To avoid bad luck after saying something good.
- B) They are wishing you good luck.
- B) It’s a sign of bad luck.
- B) To make a wish.
- A) You will have good luck.
- A) It is considered bad luck.
- B) Misfortune often happens in groups of three.
- C) To see whose wish might come true.
- A) A number many believe brings good fortune.
- B) Because it is thought to bring good luck.
Wrapping Up
Superstitions have been part of American speech for centuries. These idioms are more than just words—they connect people to traditions and old beliefs. From knocking on wood to making a wish at 11:11, each phrase carries a story that many in the USA still share. Whether you believe in them or just use them for fun, they add color and history to conversations. Learning these idioms is also a way to understand American culture a little better.
