sheer stroke of luck

USAGE SUMMARY

"sheer stroke of luck" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually refers to an unexpected, fortunate event, and can often be used to describe something that resulted in success but was not necessarily deserved. For example: "We finished the project on time, thanks to a sheer stroke of luck."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science & Research

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It was a sheer stroke of luck," says Klekociuk.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And another stroke of luck!

The Guardian - Sport

What a stroke of luck.

The Guardian - Music

That was a fabulous stroke of luck.

The New York Times - Food

It was a stroke of luck.

The New York Times

Another stroke of luck, he claims now.

The Guardian

A stroke of luck changed the mood.

The Guardian - Sport

That was a stroke of luck".

The Guardian - Books

Fortunately, the team had a stroke of luck.

The Guardian

But after much searching he had a stroke of luck.

The Guardian

For Rajoy has enjoyed a stroke of luck.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer stroke of luck" to emphasize the unexpected and fortunate nature of an event, particularly when the outcome significantly benefits the subject.

Common error

While "sheer stroke of luck" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral phrases like "fortunate circumstance" or "positive outcome" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer stroke of luck" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement. It describes an event characterized by unexpected good fortune, as demonstrated by Ludwig AI where a meteor arrival was described as such.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science & Research

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer stroke of luck" describes a fortunate event that occurs unexpectedly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and identifies its use primarily in news and science contexts. While suitable for general use, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or highly professional settings. The phrase effectively conveys the role of chance in achieving a positive outcome. It is rarely used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pure luck

Focuses solely on the element of chance, without necessarily implying the event was a significant advantage.

fortunate coincidence

Highlights the accidental alignment of circumstances leading to a positive outcome.

lucky break

Implies a sudden and unexpected opportunity or advantage.

fluke

Suggests an improbable and unintentional success.

happy accident

Emphasizes the unintentional nature of a beneficial event.

piece of good fortune

A more general term for a positive event or outcome, not necessarily unexpected.

windfall

Refers to an unexpected and substantial gain or advantage.

serendipitous event

Highlights the discovery of something valuable or agreeable while not specifically searching for it.

fortunate happenstance

Similar to "fortunate coincidence" but emphasizes the unplanned nature of the events.

godsend

Suggests that the fortunate event was divinely sent or exceptionally beneficial.

FAQs

What does "sheer stroke of luck" mean?

It means an unexpected and significant piece of good fortune. It implies that the positive outcome was largely due to chance rather than skill or planning.

How can I use "sheer stroke of luck" in a sentence?

You can say, "It was a "sheer stroke of luck" that we found the missing file just before the deadline."

What are some alternatives to saying "sheer stroke of luck"?

You can use alternatives like "pure luck", "lucky break", or "fortunate coincidence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sheer stroke of luck" an appropriate phrase for formal writing?

While acceptable, it may be better to use more formal alternatives like "fortunate event" or "positive development" in academic or professional contexts. The term can be perceived as less serious than required for the specific work, if overused.