leave to luck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave to luck" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing situations where outcomes are uncertain and one is willing to let chance determine the result. Example: "Instead of planning every detail of the event, we decided to leave it to luck and see how things unfold."

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The health of millions should not be left to luck.

The New York Times

The students who are participating in the programs cited are lucky, but access for all children to developmentally appropriate physical education should not be left to luck.

The New York Times

The public health of five million children shouldn't be left to luck or chance…" Oliver believes that the dismantling by default of the child nutrition white paper is the single most dangerous thing the coalition has done.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It should not be left to luck for aid workers to have a manager who take staff care seriously or an agency that somehow has worked out a way to allocate and integrate relevant support provisions to both mitigate and manage the mental health risks associated with aid work".

The Guardian

"The public health of five million children should not be left to luck or chance," he told the Observer.

BBC

But before the next presidential transition, we must make legislative changes and come to a common understanding that our national and economic security cannot be left to luck.

Huffington Post

Eventually, I left to try my luck as a freelance writer.

The Guardian

In the 12 days that they had been there, three men from his group had left to try their luck in Sweden because the living conditions appalled them.

Independent

That zealousness didn't endear him to either Wills or Duncan, and although it took a couple of years, they eventually left to try their luck.

The New York Times - Arts

Age 29, apps 15, goals 1, assists 0 One of the Dynamo's key players from 2006-09, Cleft leftotrytry his luck in Germany.

The Guardian - Sport

And Millwall were left to bemoan their luck again when Shane Lowry crashed a vicious volley off the woodwork with virtually the last kick of the game.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leave to luck", ensure the context clearly indicates that relying on chance is a deliberate choice, not an oversight. This adds impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "leave to luck" when a situation actually requires careful planning and mitigation of risks. Using it inappropriately can suggest a lack of responsibility or foresight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave to luck" functions as a verb phrase indicating a decision to relinquish control over an outcome and allow chance to dictate the result. It's often used when active intervention is deemed unnecessary or impossible.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leave to luck" signifies a deliberate decision to relinquish control and allow chance to determine an outcome. While grammatically acceptable, it is not a very common expression. The similar phrases are "rely on chance" and "trust to fate". It’s important to use "leave to luck" appropriately, ensuring that the context reflects a conscious choice to accept uncertainty rather than a neglect of necessary planning, as relying on chance might not always yield desirable results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rely on chance

Focuses on the act of depending on unpredictable events, highlighting the absence of planned actions.

trust to fate

Emphasizes a belief that the outcome is predetermined by a higher power or destiny.

gamble on it

Implies taking a risk with uncertain prospects, similar to betting on an outcome.

take a chance

Highlights the act of seizing an opportunity despite potential risks or unknown results.

leave to chance

A slightly more common variant, this also directly conveys the idea of allowing the outcome to be determined randomly.

risk it

A briefer expression that suggests a willingness to accept the potential negative consequences of uncertainty.

hope for the best

Expresses optimism despite the unpredictability of the situation, emphasizing a positive outlook.

cross your fingers

An idiomatic expression indicating a desire for a favorable outcome, often used when one has little control.

let it ride

Originating from gambling, this phrase means to allow a situation to continue without intervention, hoping for a beneficial result.

play it by ear

This signifies adapting to circumstances as they arise, without strict planning, leaving room for improvisation.

FAQs

What does "leave to luck" mean?

The phrase "leave to luck" means to allow chance or random events to determine the outcome of something, rather than trying to control it through planning or effort. It suggests a willingness to accept whatever result may occur.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "leave to luck"?

It's suitable when you deliberately decide not to intervene in a situation, accepting that the outcome is uncertain and beyond your control. This can apply to situations where the potential gains outweigh the risk or where active intervention is not feasible.

What can I say instead of "leave to luck"?

You can use alternatives like "rely on chance", "trust to fate", or "take a chance" depending on the context.

Is it better to "leave it to luck" or "leave it to chance"?

Both "leave it to luck" and "leave it to chance" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Leave it to chance" is slightly more common, but the choice between them is largely a matter of personal preference and stylistic context.