Slang dictionary

break a leg

(phrase)Neutral

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

Listen + practice

Hear it spoken naturally

Read the expression aloud — we’ll score your pronunciation and flag the sounds to work on.

Click to record

Related slang

break a leg — American slang definition + audio