luck up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "luck up" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misinterpretation of "look up," which is used when searching for information or clarification. Example: "If you're unsure about the definition, you can look up the word in the dictionary."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Maybe we used our luck up, maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

BBC

Episode 4 airs Sunday (Feb. 19, 9 p.m. EST on HBO), and if you've watched any of "Luck" up till this point, you owe it to yourself to see if that episode changes your point of view.

Huffington Post

Lottery officials said that for his latest win, Sylvester left his luck up to a machine, using the computerized Easy Pick option instead of selecting his own.

The Washington Post

More times than not he would smile wide through that filthy ass beard of his and say something along the lines of, "How did I ever luck up and land her?" Well, it sure wasn't because of the way he smelled that's for sure.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He had "lucked up," as they say in the rap industry.

The New York Times

"She probably dated a drug dealer at some point, and she lucked up on the doctor dude," she continues.

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm not saying the Lakers lucked up and won the game," said Webber, who scored 20 for the Kings.

The New York Times - Sports

Within a year he lucked up again, signing a young rap artist, Christopher G. Wallace, known as Notorious B.I.G.

The New York Times

But I lucked up, got a great parole officer.

Vice

His most recent books are Hard Luck (Oxford UP, 2011) and Consciousness and Moral Responsibility (Oxford UP, 2014).

Springer

Best of luck toning up!

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "luck up", consider more standard phrases like "get lucky", "have good fortune", or "find success" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid confusing "luck up" with "look up", which means to search for information. Using "luck up" might lead to misunderstanding, as it is not a recognized idiom.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "luck up" functions as a phrasal verb, although it's considered non-standard. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often appears in contexts where standard English would use phrases like "get lucky" or "have good fortune".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "luck up" appears in some contexts to suggest experiencing good fortune, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's more appropriate to use established alternatives like "get lucky", "have good fortune", or "be fortunate" to ensure clear and effective communication. Given its informal nature and potential for misinterpretation, avoid using "luck up" in formal or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get lucky

Focuses on experiencing good fortune.

have good fortune

Emphasizes the possession of favorable luck.

have a stroke of luck

Highlights the sudden and unexpected nature of good fortune.

find success

Highlights the achievement of a positive outcome, not necessarily related to luck.

catch a break

Suggests receiving an unexpected opportunity or stroke of good luck.

be fortunate

States the condition of experiencing good luck.

strike gold

Implies discovering something valuable or experiencing a significant success.

hit the jackpot

Conveys the idea of winning a large reward or achieving a major success.

come up roses

Indicates a situation turning out favorably, often against expectations.

be blessed

Focuses on receiving divine favor or good fortune.

FAQs

How can I use the idea of "luck up" correctly in a sentence?

Instead of "luck up", use standard alternatives such as "get lucky" or "have good fortune" to convey the intended meaning of experiencing good luck.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "luck up"?

You can use phrases like "be fortunate", "catch a break", or "strike gold" depending on the specific context.

Is "luck up" considered proper English?

No, "luck up" is generally not considered proper English. It's better to use established idioms like "get lucky" or "have a stroke of luck".

What is the difference between "look up" and "luck up"?

"Look up" means to search for information, while "luck up" is not a standard English phrase. Use "look up" when you want to find something, and alternative phrases like "be blessed" instead of "luck up" to suggest fortune.