second time lucky

USAGE SUMMARY

"second time lucky" is correct and usable in written English
You can use this phrase to express optimism that something will succeed the second time it is attempted, typically after failing the first time. Example: "I'm not sure I can fix this on my first try, but maybe I'll be second time lucky."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For the second time, 31-year-old second baseman Julie Smith was not one of them.

The New York Times - Sports

Who loves the New York Post he bought for a second time 18 years ago?

The Guardian

In the married sample group, 798 were not married for the first time, among whom 771 married for the second time, 23 for the third time, 1 for the fourth time, 2 refused to respond, and 1 provided incomplete information.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Intervention: Subjects were interviewed 3 times, once (T1) before hospital discharge, a second time (T2) at 3 to 6 months after discharge, and a third time (T3) at 5 years post-AMI.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

@UzumundyRussuto: Avatar is way better the second time!! @wam3studios: Avatar kicked ass……….

TechCrunch

The second time, 31 clones were sequenced.

BMC Cancer

Participants were assessed a second time 18 days after T1 (T1).

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Of the total number of women, 96 were pregnant for the first time, 83 for the second time, 29 for the third time and 17 had been pregnant more than three times; 114 women gave birth for the first time, 87 for the second time, 18 for the third time, and 6 for four or more times.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Stability (test-retest) reliability was determined with Spearman's correlation coefficients between the first (time 1 = test) and second (time 2 = retest) responses of the scale's items.

BMC Nursing

The first time: run for 10 minutes, second time: 20 minutes, third: 30, and so on.

WikiHow

Schumacher managed only the sixth time, 0.8 seconds behind Vettel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "second time lucky" to express optimism after a previous failure. It's suitable when you want to convey hope that a repeated attempt will be successful.

Common error

Avoid using "second time lucky" in situations where a genuine skill or repeatable process determines the outcome, as it implies an element of chance rather than assured improvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "second time lucky" functions as an idiomatic expression. As per Ludwig AI, it expresses optimism that something will succeed on the second attempt, especially after an initial failure. While Ludwig's examples are limited, the expression itself is widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "second time lucky" is an idiom used to express optimism that a second attempt at something will be successful, particularly after an initial failure. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides a basic definition. While commonly understood, its informal register makes it less suitable for formal contexts. Alternatives like "second chance" or "retry for success" may be more appropriate in such situations. Remember to use the phrase judiciously, recognizing that success isn't always a matter of luck but often depends on skill and preparation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

second chance

Highlights the opportunity to try again, focusing on the opportunity itself.

another shot

Implies an additional opportunity to succeed, emphasizing the attempt.

retry for success

More formal, emphasizes the action of retrying with the goal of success.

third time's the charm

Changes the number of attempts from second to third, implying that the third try will be successful.

better luck next time

Offers encouragement for future attempts, without specifically focusing on a second try.

vindication at the second attempt

A more formal way of expressing success after an initial failure.

a fresh start

Emphasizes a new beginning or opportunity, rather than a specific repeated attempt.

turn the tables

Suggests reversing a previous unfavorable situation, indicating a change in fortune.

redemption is at hand

Focuses on overcoming a previous failure and achieving a positive outcome.

beginner's luck

Suggests initial success due to inexperience or chance, contrasting with a repeated attempt.

FAQs

What does "second time lucky" mean?

"Second time lucky" is an idiomatic expression used to express hope that a second attempt at something will be successful, especially after the first attempt failed.

How can I use "second time lucky" in a sentence?

You can say, "I failed my driving test the first time, but hopefully, I'll be "second time lucky"."

What are some alternatives to "second time lucky"?

Some alternatives include "second chance", "another shot", or "third time's the charm" (if it's the third attempt).

Is it appropriate to use "second time lucky" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "second time lucky" is generally considered informal. Use it sparingly in formal contexts and prefer more direct expressions of hope for success. A phrase like "retry for success" may be a better fit.