for luck
12
3.5
- idiom
:
para tener suerte
- MPs touched Churchill's toe for luck before making important speeches.
- rub for luck
- Kiss for luck
- just for luck
Examples
-
Sam says it's for luck.
Fiction book (1990) -
Three times for luck, I always say.
-
OK, one last one for luck.
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I wear this for luck.
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I want it for luck.
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How about this for luck?
-
I have the key; I wear it around my neck for luck.
Fiction book (1996) -
Tell her it's for luck.
Fiction book (1990) -
I rub the penny for luck and slip it into my pocket.
Fiction book (1996) -
Before the big game, I always wear my lucky socks for luck.
Synonyms
547
1.0
A fortunate event that happens by chance
66
2.5
A lucky event or success that happens by chance
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'doing something in the hope it will bring good fortune' is directly compositional from 'for' (indicating purpose) + 'luck' (good fortune). This purpose-marking prepositional construction is common and follows standard English patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
For luck comes from the simple idea of doing something or carrying a small object to try to bring 'good luck', like touching a statue or carrying a rabbit's foot before a test. So, when you do something for luck, you do it in the hope of 'success' or a good result.