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in luck

in luck

36 1.6
Having something good happen by chance
  • idiom
translation icon : estar de suerte
  • If you're looking for a job, you're in luck; several companies are hiring.

Well, we are in luck, because comedy magician Eric Buss displays his crazy new invention, the bubble wrap bike.

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Examples

  • I guess you're in luck.

  • You are in luck.

  • We could be in luck, guys, we could be in luck.

  • Oh, we're in luck, then.

  • If the project design happens to fit the needs of your students, you are in luck.

    Academic text (2011)
  • You and I are in luck because I have brought in today the most respected brain coach on the planet to help you and me.

  • Looks like you're both in luck.

  • We were in luck: the sleeping car porter with the droopy eye was standing right outside our car.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • We're in luck.

  • "Well, you're in luck, young man," Edna says, turning to smile at him.

    Fiction book (1997)

Synonyms

lucky
vsin luck
1.0

Having good things happen by chance

describes a current unexpected favorable situation rather than a lasting trait
fortunate
vsin luck
296 1.8

Being lucky in a situation

describes an unforeseen moment of good fortune rather than general favor
under a lucky star
vsin luck
1 7.1

Someone who often has good things happen by chance

is usually an unexpected favorable situation rather than exceptionally great fortune
blessed
vsin luck
2.3

Feeling lucky and happy about something

refers to an actual unexpected favorable event rather than an emotional feeling

Antonyms

out of luck
  • Informal
43 4.1

Not successful when you try to get something you want

5 3.0

A person who has bad luck or a hard life

How Lucky

blessed
2.3
fortunate
296 1.8
in luck
36 1.6
unlucky
91 1.0

Surface Forms

in luck positive

Morphology

in + luck

The meaning is directly compositional: 'in' marks being within a state and 'luck' means good fortune, so 'in luck' straightforwardly means 'experiencing good fortune'. This in + noun state construction is common cross‑linguistically and follows standard English patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words should be able to infer the meaning.

Etymology

In luck paints a picture of being in a place called luck, as if you have stepped into a spot where good things happen. That's why when you are in luck you have 'good luck' or an unexpected lucky moment.