third time's the charm

USAGE SUMMARY

"third time's the charm" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to express the idea that after two attempts at something, the third attempt will be successful. Example: After failing the driving test twice, Jane felt discouraged but decided to try again. As they say, third time's the charm - she passed with flying colors on her third attempt.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

For Mr. Page, the third time's the charm: he's using the Kahn version.

The New York Times

People always say that "the third time's the charm" but that's obviously not true because the ball flew out and landed in one of the gamblers' whiskey glasses, splashing booze all over his tux.

Vice

If presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has learned anything over the past month after being interrupted at two major rallies by demonstrators with the Black Lives Matter movement, it's that when directing preemptive action, the third time's the charm.

Vice

They say that the third time's the charm, which might explain why the third episode of our podcast was so charming!

Huffington Post

"Third time's the charm".

The Guardian - Sport

The third time's the charm.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

At a third-time's-the-charm (one hopes) wedding, it's also a nice way to participate without feeling awkward about bringing or not bringing a gift.

The New York Times

We end, perched indefinitely on this third-time's-the-charm bridal gown cliffhanger.

Huffington Post

Not to prematurely age Bee, Jones or "Angie Tribeca" star Rashida Jones, but in a small way it represents a bid for younger eyes: Justin and Jordan Shipley, the series' first-time's-the-charm creators are in their mid-20s, as are the preponderance of their main characters.

Los Angeles Times

FRANK LITSKY FOURTH TIME'S THE CHARM In the women's 20-kilometer walk, which started Sunday's final-day program of 11 finals, the winner was Joanne Dow of Manchester, N.H.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, there's an old saying where I come from: the thirty-eighth time's the charm.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context actually involves a third attempt, as using it for a second or fourth attempt undermines the specific cultural weight of the number three.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in strictly scientific or legal contexts where 'luck' or 'charms' might be seen as unprofessional or implying a lack of rigorous process. In these cases, a more neutral description like "the objective was achieved on the third iteration" is preferable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "third time's the charm" functions as an idiomatic adverbial clause or a standalone proverbial interjection. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to suggest that a third attempt at an action is likely to succeed after two previous failures. Grammatically, it utilizes a contraction of "time is" to create a rhythmic, punchy expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Technical Documentation

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "third time's the charm" is a highly effective and widely accepted idiom for describing success following persistence. Ludwig AI shows that it appears consistently across top-tier media outlets like The New York Times and BBC, proving its versatility in both neutral and informal registers. While it is grammatically correct and very common, writers should be mindful of regional preferences, opting for "<a href="/s/third+time+lucky" target="_blank" rel="alternative">third time lucky" in British contexts. Overall, it remains a powerful tool for injecting a touch of narrative flair and optimism into any story of human endeavor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

third time lucky

The standard British English equivalent of the phrase.

the third time is the charm

Full uncontracted version of the idiom, slightly more formal in tone.

three is a charm

A variation focusing on the number three as an omen of luck.

all good things come in threes

Broader proverb suggesting that the number three is inherently positive.

persistence pays off

Literal and more formal description of the sentiment behind the idiom.

try, try again

Emphasis on the act of repetition rather than the specific outcome of the third try.

thrice is nice

A playful, rhyming variation used in more informal or creative contexts.

third luck

A rare, shortened colloquialism.

finally successful on the third attempt

Completely literal and descriptive, suitable for technical or dry reports.

victory at last

Focuses on the end result rather than the specific number of attempts.

FAQs

How to use "third time's the charm" in a sentence?

You can use it as a standalone comment or within a sentence, for example: "After two failed startups, he is launching a third; as they say, third time's the charm."

What can I say instead of "third time's the charm"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/third+time+lucky" target="_blank" rel="alternative">third time lucky", "<a href="/s/persistence+pays+off" target="_blank" rel="alternative">persistence pays off" or "<a href="/s/three+is+a+charm" target="_blank" rel="alternative">three is a charm".

Is it "third time's the charm" or "third time lucky"?

Both are correct. "third time's the charm" is more common in American English, while "<a href="/s/third+time+lucky" target="_blank" rel="alternative">third time lucky" is the preferred version in British English.

What does "third time's the charm" mean?

It is an English idiom used to express the belief that the third time you try something, it will finally be successful.