lucky guess

USAGE SUMMARY

"lucky guess" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you wish to express that you have made a guess and it turned out to be correct. For example, "I figured out the answer to the math problem on my first try - it was just a lucky guess!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

A lucky guess that I couldn't repeat?

The New Yorker

43D: Honestly, a lucky guess for me.

The New York Times

"Must have been a lucky guess".

The New Yorker

The shrimp was just spicy enough, and it paired nicely with the chardonnay (lucky guess).

The New York Times

Furthermore, I suppose, it wasn't the sort of thing Frankel might tumble to with a lucky guess.

The New Yorker

A lucky guess, it's tempting to say — the psychic's usual shot in the dark.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

By design, our study avoids lucky guesses.

Computers & Graphics

Her trainer should make sure she focuses not just on the 10 misses, but also any correct answers that she can admit were lucky guesses.

Harvard Business Review

But when the empirical research is flawed, it can be used as an excuse for policies that are at best lucky guesses, likely to be mistaken, and at worst can be vehicles for corruption.

The Washington Post

The true outlines of the southern continent are more recognizable, raising endless debate and speculation over whether the mapmakers had secret knowledge of the western coast, or if they simply made lucky guesses.

The New York Times

But lucky guesses do not count as knowledge.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lucky guess" to acknowledge that an accurate prediction or solution was achieved without substantial knowledge or reasoning. It's often used to express humility or downplay expertise.

Common error

Avoid using "lucky guess" sarcastically when genuine skill or effort contributed significantly to the outcome. It can undermine your accomplishments or the achievements of others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lucky guess" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or an appositive. It describes an outcome or answer achieved through chance rather than skill or knowledge. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts, indicating a reliance on fortuitous circumstances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lucky guess" is a common noun phrase used to describe a correct answer or successful outcome achieved primarily through chance rather than skill or knowledge. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, though primarily in informal settings. While it appears frequently in News & Media and Science, it's less common in formal business or academic writing. Related phrases include "fortunate prediction" and "chance discovery", offering alternative ways to express the role of luck. When using "lucky guess", be mindful of the context and avoid using it sarcastically or in situations where genuine skill was involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fortunate prediction

Emphasizes the positive outcome of a prediction that happened by chance.

fluke

Highlights the accidental nature and unexpected success of the event.

chance discovery

Focuses on the accidental finding or realization of something.

accidental find

Underscores the unintentional nature of locating or understanding something.

happenstance

Highlights the role of coincidence in reaching a conclusion.

coincidental insight

Emphasizes that the understanding or idea occurred by chance.

serendipitous discovery

Highlights the fortunate and unexpected nature of a finding.

random shot in the dark

Stresses the lack of planning or informed reasoning behind the guess.

blind shot

Focuses on the lack of information or sight when making a guess.

potluck solution

Refers to a solution obtained in a haphazard way, similar to a potluck meal.

FAQs

How can I use "lucky guess" in a sentence?

You can use "lucky guess" to describe a correct answer or prediction that was made without any real knowledge or skill. For example, "I didn't know the answer, it was just a "lucky guess"".

What can I say instead of "lucky guess"?

You can use alternatives like "fluke", "chance discovery", or "accidental find" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "lucky guess" in a formal setting?

While "lucky guess" is generally understood, it's more suitable for informal settings. In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "fortunate prediction" or "coincidental insight" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "lucky guess" and "educated guess"?

"Lucky guess" implies a completely random and uninformed estimation, while "educated guess" suggests that the estimation is based on some knowledge or experience, even if incomplete.