luck is out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "luck is out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has run out of good fortune or that favorable circumstances are no longer present. Example: "I thought I would win the lottery, but it seems my luck is out this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

When your luck is out, it's out.

The Guardian - Sport

When her luck is out, the frustrating and unwanted approaches can amount to five a day.

The Guardian - Money

A collection of DJ Taylor's short stories, Wrote for Luck, is out from Galley Beggar Press.

The Guardian - Books

Mark Roe's luck is out, though, as he finds a nasty little bunker at the 13th.

The Guardian - Sport

The Cup exit has hardened the feeling that their luck is out and their season is falling apart.

The Guardian - Sport

Ball control and methodical offense will be Tampa Bay's best weapons against opponents who lose some of the explosiveness required to put points up quickly when Luck is out of the line-up.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Here, West's luck was out.

The New York Times

His all-round game was good but his luck was out.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet Mansfield, playing well above themselves, will have to reflect their luck was out.

The Guardian - Sport

"I thought our luck was out, but what a great free-kick from Didier.

The Guardian - Sport

Martin Kaymer could be forgiven for thinking that his luck was out the morning after he became a multiple major winner.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "luck is out" to express a general sense of misfortune or a period where things are not going well. It's suitable for describing situations in sports, personal life, or any context where chance plays a role.

Common error

While "luck is out" is acceptable, it might sound too informal in professional or academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "experiencing a period of misfortune" or "facing unfavorable circumstances" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "luck is out" functions as an expression to indicate a state of misfortune or the absence of good fortune. Ludwig shows this phrase appears in various contexts, often to explain why things are not going well.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

30%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "luck is out" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a state of misfortune or the absence of good fortune. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, particularly in news and sports reporting, to explain unfavorable outcomes. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferable in professional settings. Remember to use this phrase to simply and effectively convey a sense of disappointment when things aren't going your way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of luck

Reverses the order of 'out' and 'luck' but maintains the same meaning and grammatical structure.

having no luck

Directly states the absence of good fortune.

luck has run out

Emphasizes the exhaustion of good fortune.

fortune has turned

Emphasizes a change in circumstances from positive to negative.

run of bad luck

Highlights a sequence of unfortunate events.

ill-fated

Indicates a destiny of misfortune.

hard times

Focuses on a period of difficulty or hardship.

misfortune strikes

Highlights the sudden and negative impact of bad luck.

fate is unkind

Attributes the bad luck to an unfavorable destiny.

under a bad sign

Implies astrological influence on misfortune.

FAQs

How can I use "luck is out" in a sentence?

You can use "luck is out" to express that someone is experiencing a period of misfortune, such as "The team's "luck is out", as they've lost their last three games".

What can I say instead of "luck is out"?

Alternatives include "out of luck", "fortune has turned", or "having no luck", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "my luck is out"?

Yes, "my luck is out" is a correct and commonly used expression to indicate that you are currently experiencing bad luck or misfortune.

What's the difference between "luck is out" and "luck has run out"?

Both phrases are similar, but "luck has run out" emphasizes the exhaustion of good fortune, whereas ""luck is out"" simply indicates a current state of misfortune.