Slang & idioms
"break a leg", drawn literally
Literally

break a leg

(phrase)Neutral

What it actually means

A way of wishing someone good luck — especially before a performance, audition, or presentation. Theatre superstition: saying "good luck" is considered bad luck.

In a sentence

  • “Break a leg out there — you've practiced enough.”
  • “I told her to break a leg before her big audition.”

Also known as

good luckknock 'em dead

Where it’s used

everyday

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More idioms like this

break a leg — American slang definition + audio