run out of luck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "run out of luck" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone has exhausted their good fortune or favorable circumstances. Example: "After failing the exam for the third time, I realized I had run out of luck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

But they seem to have run out of luck.

The New York Times

And then the "lucky country" would run out of luck.

The Economist

Gambling on a better life, the stowaways had run out of luck.

The New York Times

In King's Landing, however, our wishes might run out of luck.

The New Yorker

They may find that, one day, they run out of luck.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then we lost Broady and I thought that position had run out of luck, so I thought I'd move".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Running out of luck is often one of the earliest signs of a manager's impending decline, but, at 60, Smith's supply seems to be nowhere near exhaustion.

The Guardian - Sport

It doesn't mean you've got to hope for your acquaintances' good luck to run out, of course!

WikiHow

THE lucky country may be running out of luck.

The Economist

When it came to my phone system, I just ran out of luck.

The New York Times

Nixon began running out of luck a short while after his reelection.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "run out of luck" to describe a situation where someone's good fortune has ended, especially when highlighting a turning point or unexpected misfortune. For instance, "After a series of successful ventures, the entrepreneur seemed to "run out of luck" when the market crashed."

Common error

Avoid using "run out of luck" for situations that are due to lack of effort or planning. The phrase implies external forces or chance events, not personal failings. For example, don't say someone "ran out of luck" if they failed because they didn't study; instead, say they "didn't prepare adequately".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "run out of luck" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the exhaustion or depletion of good fortune. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

14%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "run out of luck" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the exhaustion of good fortune. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is prevalent in news and media, with neutral formality, making it suitable for diverse contexts. While semantically related alternatives like "experience misfortune" or "suffer a setback" exist, "run out of luck" specifically denotes the depletion of a previously positive streak. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a situation influenced by chance rather than personal failings to avoid misuse. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian further validates its acceptability and widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be down on one's luck

Describes a state of prolonged misfortune or hardship.

face ill fortune

Stresses confronting negative luck or fate.

have a streak of bad luck

Highlights a series of unfortunate events occurring in succession.

experience misfortune

Focuses on the general experience of bad luck, rather than the exhaustion of it.

suffer a setback

Highlights a temporary hindrance or reversal in progress, implying a negative turn of events.

fall on hard times

Focuses on experiencing a period of difficulty or hardship.

see one's fortunes decline

Indicates a downturn in overall circumstances or success.

meet with adversity

Emphasizes facing challenging or unfavorable situations.

reach the end of the line

Signifies the exhaustion of resources or options, leading to failure or defeat.

lose one's touch

Suggests a decline in skill or ability, leading to failure or misfortune.

FAQs

What does it mean to "run out of luck"?

To "run out of luck" means to exhaust one's good fortune or favorable circumstances, often leading to negative outcomes or setbacks. It suggests that a period of good fortune has come to an end.

How can I use "run out of luck" in a sentence?

You can use "run out of luck" to describe situations where someone experiences a reversal of fortune. For example, "The team had a great winning streak, but they eventually "ran out of luck" in the finals."

What's a more formal alternative to "run out of luck"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "experience a reversal of fortune", "meet with adversity", or "suffer a setback" as alternatives to "run out of luck".

Is it grammatically correct to say "ran out of luck"?

Yes, "ran out of luck" is the past tense form of the verb phrase and is grammatically correct. For example, "The gambler initially won big, but eventually "ran out of luck" and lost everything".