a stroke of luck

USAGE SUMMARY

'a stroke of luck' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a sudden and unexpected good fortune. For example, "Winning the lottery was a stroke of luck for Mary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was a stroke of luck.

The New York Times

What a stroke of luck.

The Guardian - Music

We've had a stroke of luck today".

The Guardian - Sport

A stroke of luck changed the mood.

The Guardian - Sport

That was a stroke of luck".

The Guardian - Books

Fortunately, the team had a stroke of luck.

The Guardian

But after much searching he had a stroke of luck.

The Guardian

For Rajoy has enjoyed a stroke of luck.

The Guardian

"That rocket was a stroke of luck," Kobi said.

The New York Times - Magazine

At this point, he had a stroke of luck.

The Guardian - Arts

Their cooperative impulse is a stroke of luck for readers.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a stroke of luck" when emphasizing the unexpected nature of a fortunate event. It's best suited for situations where the positive outcome was not the result of planning or effort, but rather pure chance.

Common error

Avoid using "a stroke of luck" to describe successes that were primarily the result of skill, hard work, or strategic planning. While chance may have played a minor role, attributing the outcome solely to luck diminishes the effort involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stroke of luck" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes an instance of unexpected good fortune or a fortuitous event. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it is used to highlight chance occurrences with positive results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stroke of luck" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an unexpected fortunate event. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While suitable for general use, it should be carefully applied to avoid misattributing success solely to chance when skill or effort played a significant role. Alternatives such as ""a lucky break"" or ""a fortunate turn of events"" may offer more nuanced descriptions depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lucky break

Implies a sudden and unexpected opportunity that brings good fortune.

a lucky coincidence

Emphasizes the chance occurrence of two or more events in a beneficial way.

a piece of good fortune

Highlights the positive outcome as a result of chance.

a happy accident

Highlights the role of chance in a positive outcome.

a fortunate turn of events

Emphasizes the sequence of events leading to a positive outcome, rather than the luck itself.

a twist of fate

Highlights the role of destiny in bringing about a positive change.

a serendipitous event

Stresses the accidental discovery of something positive while looking for something else.

a windfall

Suggests a sudden and substantial gain, often financial.

a blessing in disguise

Refers to an event that initially seems negative but ultimately leads to a positive outcome.

an unexpected boon

Focuses on the benefit received, which was not anticipated.

FAQs

How can I use "a stroke of luck" in a sentence?

You can use "a stroke of luck" to describe an unexpected fortunate event. For example, "Finding a parking spot downtown during the festival was "a stroke of luck"."

What's a good alternative to "a stroke of luck"?

Alternatives include "a lucky break", "a fortunate turn of events", or "a happy accident", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "a stroke of luck"?

It's best to avoid using "a stroke of luck" when the positive outcome was primarily due to skill, effort, or planning. Using it in such contexts can diminish the contributions made by those involved.

What's the difference between "a stroke of luck" and "good fortune"?

"A stroke of luck" often implies a single, sudden event, whereas "good fortune" can refer to a more sustained period of positive circumstances. While similar, "good fortune" may encompass more than just a one-time occurrence.