break a leg

Meaning

An idiom used to wish performers (actors, musicians, presenters) good luck before they go on stage. It comes from an old theatrical superstition that directly wishing someone good luck would bring them bad luck.

Examples

• Go out there and break a leg tonight!

  Go out there and break a leg tonight!

• I know you're nervous about the presentation, but break a leg!

  I know you're nervous about the presentation, but break a leg!

• She told her brother to break a leg right before he walked on stage.

  She told her brother to break a leg right before he walked on stage.

• "Break a leg!" the director whispered from the wings.

  "Break a leg!" the director whispered from the wings.

• They all wished each other to break a leg before the opening scene.

  They all wished each other to break a leg before the opening scene.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I hope you break your leg in the play.

  ✓ Break a leg tonight!

  Do not use possessive pronouns like 'your' or pluralize 'leg'; the idiom is strictly 'break a leg'.

• ✗ Break a leg on your exam!

  ✓ Good luck on your exam!

  While occasionally used for other stressful events like job interviews, 'break a leg' is traditionally reserved for performances, presentations, or stage events.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Your solo is next! Go out there and ___!

  💡 Wish of good luck to a performer.

  Show answer

  break a leg

• I whispered '___' to Sarah as she walked up to the microphone.

  💡 Theatrical good luck phrase.

  Show answer

  break a leg