devil's luck
1
7.5
- noun
- /ˈdɛvəlz lʌk/
- Informal
- Winning the lottery was pure devil's luck!
Examples
-
Somehow, by devil's luck, the team managed to score in the final seconds.
-
With sheer devil's luck, she missed the storm by just a few minutes.
-
He always seems to have devil's luck when it comes to risky investments.
-
She had such devil's luck during the game.
-
He always seems to have devil's luck when it comes to risky investments.
-
With sheer devil's luck, she missed the storm by just a few minutes.
-
Somehow, by devil's luck, the team managed to score in the final seconds.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A fortunate event that happens by chance
74
2.5
A lucky event or success that happens by chance
42
5.1
An unexpected good event that happens by chance
34
5.1
A large amount of money that you get unexpectedly
25
4.9
Something very helpful that you did not expect when you needed it
18
3.2
A sudden chance that helps you succeed
15
3.9
Good luck that happens by chance, not because you worked for it
14
7.9
A happy chance event that brings good results
10
3.2
A sudden lucky event that brings good results
5
9.5
An extra helpful thing you get, often at work
2
4.2
An unexpected good thing that feels like it comes from above
1
3.9
A lucky unexpected event that brings something good
An unexpected good thing that happens by chance
Antonyms
How Lucky
Surface Forms
Morphology
devil's + luck
While 'luck' is transparent, the modifier 'devil's' introduces a figurative, culturally loaded nuance (devil typically signals malice or extreme agency) that does not straightforwardly yield the sense 'unexpectedly good or undeserved fortune.' A B1 learner who knows the constituents could guess it's a special kind of luck but would likely be uncertain about the positive/undeserved meaning, so the expression is partially but not fully predictable.
Etymology
Devil's luck may come from old stories where the devil suddenly helps someone escape danger or gives them a strange windfall, so the luck feels risky or unfair. That's why Devil's luck now means 'unexpectedly good fortune', especially when it seems 'undeserved'.