Good luck with that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Good luck with that" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to express skepticism or wish someone well with a challenging task. Example: "I heard you're trying to fix that old car. Good luck with that." Alternative expressions include "Best of luck with that" and "Hope that works out for you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Good luck with that.

The New York Times

(Good luck with that though).

Huffington Post

Good luck with that, son.

Independent

Good luck with that, Alexis.

Independent

Good luck with that, Tiger.

The New York Times - Sports

Good luck with that egg".

The New York Times - Arts

Good luck with that, bud.

The New York Times

Good luck with that, man.

The New York Times

Good luck with that, I thought.

Independent

Good luck with that, I say.

The New York Times

Good luck with that, insect heroes.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Good luck with that" to inject a tone of mild skepticism or irony when someone describes a task that is notoriously difficult or improbable. It works best in informal or semi-formal writing to add character and voice.

Common error

Avoid using this phrase in highly formal business emails or condolence notes. While it can be sincere, its frequent use in media as a sarcastic remark means it may be misinterpreted as dismissive or rude by the recipient.

Linguistic Context

This phrase acts primarily as an interjection or an exclamatory response. In the data provided by Ludwig, it frequently functions as a pithy commentary on a preceding statement of intent or a described challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its use as a standard idiomatic unit.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Social Media

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Good luck with that" is a versatile staple of modern English that demands careful attention to context. As Ludwig examples illustrate, the phrase is common in high-authority media to express doubt or to acknowledge an uphill battle. Ludwig AI notes that while grammatically simple, its pragmatic meaning shifts significantly: in casual conversation, it might be a friendly wish, but in a headline or a critique, it often serves as a sharp, skeptical commentary. Writers should favor "<a href="/s/best+of+luck" target="_blank" rel="alternative">best of luck" for pure sincerity and reserve the original phrase for moments where a touch of irony or a reality check is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Best of luck with that

Typically carries a more sincere and less skeptical connotation.

I hope that works out for you

More formal and generally lacks the sarcastic undertone often found in the original.

Good luck with your endeavor

More formal phrasing, often used in professional or business contexts.

Break a leg

An idiomatic alternative specifically for performances or high-pressure events.

You will need it

Removes the polite facade to focus entirely on the difficulty of the task.

Fingers crossed for you

Focuses on the element of hope rather than the potential for failure.

Lots of luck

A more casual and slightly warmer variation of the standard wish.

Wishing you the best

A broad, sincere well-wish that is less specific to a single task.

Godspeed

A more archaic or solemn way to wish someone success on a journey or mission.

May the odds be in your favor

Often used ironically or pop-culturally to highlight an extreme challenge.

FAQs

How to use "Good luck with that" in a sentence?

You can use it as a standalone reaction to a difficult plan, such as: "You're trying to finish that report in an hour? Good luck with that."

What can I say instead of "Good luck with that"?

Depending on your intent, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/best+of+luck+with+that" target="_blank" rel="alternative">best of luck with that", "<a href="/s/i+hope+that+works+out+for+you" target="_blank" rel="alternative">i hope that works out for you" or "<a href="/s/break+a+leg" target="_blank" rel="alternative">break a leg".

Is "Good luck with that" always sarcastic?

Not always, but it frequently is. In many Ludwig examples from The New York Times, it is used to highlight the futility of an action, though it can still be used sincerely among friends.

What is the difference between "Good luck with that" and "Best of luck"?

"<a href="/s/best+of+luck" target="_blank" rel="alternative">best of luck" is almost always sincere and professional, whereas "Good luck with that" often implies the speaker believes the person will fail.