Break a leg idiom
Meaning of break a leg idiom:
When someone tells you to break a leg, they are not actually wishing you physical harm. The phrase is actually a well-wish, meant to wish the person good luck. “Break a leg” is derived from the Latin phrase “accomplish something”, which means the same thing. So, when someone tells you to break a leg, they are really telling you to go out and do your best.
Break a leg idiom sentences:
- I hope you guys are having a great day and I love you so much. Break a leg and I will see you guys next time. (Source: Katherine Steele)
- Break a leg with all your future projects. (Source: CUNY TV)
- Hey, break a leg! (Source: Full Frontal with Samantha Bee)
- Good luck, and break a leg! (Source: Pasadena City College)
- If I would say, “Break a leg Morgan” she would literally think I was wishing she’d break a leg. So, I don’t say that. I just say “Good Luck.”. (Source: just Like You Films)
- Thanks to the cast and crew of Nineteen Years Later. Break a leg, guys!. (Source: AustinMcConnell)
- I know you’re going to make it, all of you. Break a leg! (Source: English Speeches)
- I believe in you! Break a leg! (Source: Pasadena City College)
- Break a leg on all the projects present and future. (Source: CUNY TV)
- It’s the Italian equivalent of ‘break a leg.’ (Source: The Juilliard School)
Meaning of break a leg idiom (Video)
Break a leg idiom (Q&A)
The phrase “break a leg” is commonly used to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance. It is believed to date back to the Renaissance when it was considered bad luck to wish someone good luck directly. Instead, people would say things like “may your leg break,” in the hopes that their rival would trip and fall.
Today, “break a leg” is generally used as an innocuous good luck wish. However, some people believe that it is still bad luck to say directly to someone. In these cases, they will usually say something like “knock ’em dead” instead.
There are a few theories as to why people say “break a leg” instead of “good luck.” One theory is that the phrase comes from Shakespeare. In Shakespeare’s time, it was considered bad luck to wish someone good luck before they went on stage. So, people would instead tell the actors to “break a leg,” meaning that they hoped the play would be successful.
Another theory is that the phrase comes from ancient Greece. In Greek theater, it was customary to sacrifice an animal before a play. So, when an actor was told to “break a leg,” it meant that they were being asked to make a sacrifice for the success of the play.
Whatever the origins of the phrase, it is now commonly used in theater and other performing arts as a way to wish someone good luck.
