be darn lucky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be darn lucky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of good fortune or to suggest that someone has had a stroke of luck. Example: "If we manage to finish this project on time, we will really be darn lucky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You'll be darn lucky if you pick the way that is believable.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He sees the American half-century from the end of World War II to the fall of the Soviet Union not as a tale of hard-won triumph over an evil foe but as a nightmarish, paranoia-fueled sleepwalk from which we were darn lucky to have emerged in one piece.

The New York Times - Books

We are darn lucky to have him wear our colours as I know other tennis nations would trade for him in a heartbeat".

BBC

'I'll be darned.

The Guardian

"I'll be darned, Luther, you can read!

The New York Times

You're darn tootin'.

The Guardian - Sport

You're darn right".

The New York Times

It's darn cute.

The New York Times - Tech

"Now there are darn few".

The New York Times

"We're darn close," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I'd say that's darn good".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be darn lucky" to express a sense of surprise or mild disbelief at good fortune. It's more impactful than simply saying "lucky".

Common error

Avoid using "be darn lucky" excessively in formal writing. While acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or less sophisticated. Opt for synonyms like "be very fortunate" to vary your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be darn lucky" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying an implied subject, expressing that the subject experiences a significant degree of good fortune. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be darn lucky" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a sense of good fortune or unexpected positive outcome. According to Ludwig, while acceptable, the phrase has limited usage. The phrase appears mainly in news and media contexts, with rare appearances in other areas. It is considered informal and more suitable for general conversation than formal writing. For formal contexts, consider using synonyms like "be extremely fortunate". Overusing this expression might make your writing sound repetitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be incredibly fortunate

Replaces "darn lucky" with a more formal synonym for luck.

be extremely fortunate

Emphasizes the degree of luck with "extremely" instead of "darn".

have a stroke of good luck

Shifts the focus to the event of experiencing good luck.

get a lucky break

Focuses on receiving a specific, fortunate opportunity or event.

be in luck

A more direct way of saying someone is experiencing good fortune at the moment.

be blessed

Uses a religious term to imply divine favor or good fortune.

stumble into good fortune

Implies that the good luck was accidental or unexpected.

have a charmed life

Suggests continuous good fortune over a long period.

be born under a lucky star

Implies inherent luck from birth.

land on one's feet

Suggests that someone recovers well from a potentially bad situation due to luck or skill.

FAQs

How can I use "be darn lucky" in a sentence?

You can use "be darn lucky" to express a sense of unexpected good fortune or to downplay the role of skill in a positive outcome. For example, "We'll "be darn lucky" if we finish this project on time."

What does "be darn lucky" mean?

"Be darn lucky" means to experience a significant amount of good fortune, often unexpectedly or surprisingly. It is an informal way of saying that someone is very fortunate.

What are some alternatives to saying "be darn lucky"?

Some alternatives to "be darn lucky" include "be incredibly fortunate", "have a stroke of good luck", or simply "be fortunate".

Is it appropriate to use "be darn lucky" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "be darn lucky" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's best to use more professional alternatives such as "be extremely fortunate" or "be highly fortunate".