a lucky break

USAGE SUMMARY

"a lucky break" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe an unexpected stroke of good luck or a fortunate opportunity. Here are two examples: 1. "After months of struggling to find a job, I finally got a lucky break when my friend recommended me for a position at their company." 2. "The actress's career took off after she landed a lucky break and landed the lead role in a hit movie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But a month later, the commission had a lucky break.

The Economist

A lucky break?

Independent

Or maybe a lucky break.

The New York Times - Food

What a lucky break.

The Guardian - Sport

But then I got a lucky break.

The New York Times

And they had a lucky break.

The New Yorker

I caught a lucky break.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It was a lucky break.

The New York Times - Sports

Ramsey's finish wasn't a lucky break.

The New York Times - Sports

Later, she considered this a lucky break.

The New Yorker

Not bad for a lucky break.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lucky break" when describing an unexpected positive event that significantly changes a situation for the better. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "a lucky break" is a common idiom, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "stroke of luck" or "fortunate opportunity" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lucky break" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It describes an instance of good fortune or an unexpected opportunity that leads to a positive outcome. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it often refers to moments of serendipity that significantly alter a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lucky break" is a common noun phrase used to describe an unexpected stroke of good luck or a fortunate opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and is generally considered to be neutral in register. While "a lucky break" is widely understood and used, writers should be mindful of potential overuse and consider alternatives like "stroke of luck" or "fortunate opportunity" to maintain variety and reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stroke of luck

Focuses on the element of chance and good fortune.

fortunate opportunity

Emphasizes the beneficial nature of the circumstance.

piece of good fortune

Highlights the positive aspect of the event or situation.

breakthrough

Suggests a sudden advancement or resolution of a problem.

fluke

Implies a completely accidental and unexpected good outcome.

windfall

Indicates a sudden and unexpected gain, often financial.

serendipity

Focuses on the accidental discovery of something fortunate while looking for something else.

godsend

Emphasizes the providential or divinely inspired nature of the fortunate event.

chance encounter

Highlights the role of unplanned meetings or events leading to positive outcomes.

fortunate turn of events

Puts emphasis on a shift in circumstances that leads to a positive result.

FAQs

How can I use "a lucky break" in a sentence?

You can use "a lucky break" to describe an unexpected opportunity or fortunate event. For example, "She got "a lucky break" when the director chose her for the lead role after the original actress fell ill".

What's a more formal alternative to "a lucky break"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "fortunate opportunity" or "providential circumstance" instead of "a lucky break".

Is "lucky break" one word or two?

"Lucky break" is two words. It's a noun phrase consisting of the adjective "lucky" and the noun "break".

What can I say instead of "a lucky break"?

You can use alternatives like "stroke of luck", "fortunate opportunity", or "piece of good fortune" depending on the context.