Break a leg – Idiom of the day

Break a leg – Idiom of the day

Meaning:

• good luck
• best wishes
• stroke of luck
• to wish someone luck especially before a performance

History:

This phrase originated in the world of theater. Performers had a superstition that saying “good luck” would actually bring them bad luck, so “break a leg” was used instead. 

The most common theory refers to an actor breaking the “leg line” of the stage. In the early days of theater, this is where struggling actors were queued to perform. If actors were not performing, they had to stay behind the “leg line,” which also meant they wouldn’t get paid.

If you were to tell the actor to “break a leg,” you were wishing them the opportunity to perform and get paid.

Examples:

1. “My first stage performance is scheduled for tonight.” “Well, break a leg!”
2. “Break a leg!” I shouted out to him before he rushed in for his final auditions.
3. When the team went out for the final match, the coach shouted out to them “break a leg!”

Also check:

• Idiom of the Day
• Best 25 Useful Idioms and phrases