gain luck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gain luck" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where someone is trying to express the idea of acquiring or attracting good fortune, though it is not a standard expression. Example: "In order to gain luck for the upcoming competition, she decided to carry a lucky charm."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Today we think, 'What kind of God would demand such a thing?' But back then, people sacrificed their first son to gain luck for their family and tribe".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Two rushing plays were stopped for no gain, then Luck attempted a passing play on third down.

Wikipedia

In the 72nd minute, Ghana gained some luck when the referee suddenly ratcheted up his vigilance and sent off a Serbian player.

The New York Times - Sports

Like GE Capital, the unit was supposed to help finance deals for customers, making it easier to win new contracts and, with luck, gain some extra profits too.

The Economist

As a result, this new coalition may have more luck gaining a few prominent supporters than gaining funds.

The New York Times

Good luck gaining sympathy for that.

The New York Times

The debate about whether Indianapolis would take Luck gained momentum when Bill Polian, the team president, was spotted at a Stanford game.

The New York Times - Sports

A change of luck gained him a 9th place finish in the and preceded a further championship point in the ; although his total of 4 points compared unfavourably to his 12 scored by the same time in the previous season.

Wikipedia

"We gained one minute by luck," Mr. Osório said.

The New York Times

Centers that serve a large Chinese population have gained from such lunar luck.

The New York Times

Gates got good at programming, too, because as a teenager, he had the extraordinary good luck of gaining access to the first generations of modern computers and was given time to fiddle on them for, well, 10,000 hours or so.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs like "attract" or "bring" with "luck" or "fortune" for a more natural expression. For instance, instead of saying "try to gain luck", consider "try to attract good fortune".

Common error

Avoid using "gain luck" in formal or professional writing. It can sound awkward. Instead, use more established phrases like "improve prospects" or "increase the chances of success".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain luck" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "gain" acts as a transitive verb with "luck" as its direct object. This usage is less common than other expressions, as noted by Ludwig, making it potentially less idiomatic.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gain luck" is grammatically acceptable but not a standard idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI notes that it may sound awkward in some contexts. While it appears across various source types, including news and media, it is most often used in informal settings. For more formal or professional writing, it's advisable to use alternatives like "attract good fortune" or "improve prospects". Although "gain luck" is not wrong, it is not common, so use it consciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attract good fortune

Focuses on drawing positive outcomes, replacing "gain" with "attract" and specifying "good fortune".

bring good luck

Emphasizes causing good luck to occur, shifting the action from personal gain to influencing external events.

secure good fortune

Implies a more active and guaranteed acquisition of good fortune, differing in the level of certainty.

court fortune

Suggests actively seeking or inviting fortune, adding a sense of intentional pursuit.

invite good fortune

Similar to 'court fortune' but emphasizes a welcoming approach to attract positive outcomes.

find good luck

Focuses on encountering or discovering luck, changing the perspective from active gaining to passive finding.

generate good luck

Highlights the creation or production of favorable circumstances, emphasizing the active role.

earn good luck

Implies that good luck is a reward for effort, adding a sense of deservedness.

cultivate good fortune

Suggests a deliberate and ongoing effort to foster good fortune over time, emphasizing long-term action.

entice luck

Focuses on luring or attracting luck through charm or strategy, adding a playful aspect.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "gain luck" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives such as "attract good fortune", "bring good luck", or "improve prospects" depending on the specific context.

Is "gain luck" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "gain luck" is not a common or idiomatic phrase. It is better to use more conventional expressions like "attract luck" or "secure fortune".

What's the difference between "gain luck" and "make luck"?

"Gain luck" implies acquiring luck passively, while "make luck" suggests actively creating favorable circumstances. To "make luck" often involves taking initiative and creating opportunities where they might not otherwise exist.

In what contexts is "gain luck" most appropriate?

The phrase "gain luck" may be suitable in informal conversation or creative writing. For formal or professional settings, it's advisable to use more established phrases like "improve odds" or "increase likelihood".