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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Break a leg

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.

Usage note: keep in mind

This is not a wish for an injury. If someone is hurt, express concern instead.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. You’ll do great in the play—break a leg!

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the two questions without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Review the meaning

A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.

2. Can you recall the expression?

Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.

You’ll do great in the play—________!
Show the answer

Break a leg — A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Break a leg” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

A way to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.

Compare: You’ll do great in the play—break a leg!

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.

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GO DEEPER

More ways to understand and use it

How to use this expression

This is an informal good-luck wish, especially before acting, music or another performance. It is usually said directly to the performer. A learner who does not know the idiom may hear it literally, so use “good luck” when clarity matters.

More examples

Your audition starts in ten minutes. Break a leg!

Before the curtain rose, the director told the cast to break a leg.

Check your understanding

Would this be an ordinary response to hearing that someone has injured a leg?

Answer: No. In that situation, express concern. The idiom is a wish for success before a performance.

Choose the moment

Nila is about to walk onstage for her first concert. Her friend says, “Break a leg!” Later, Nila says that the audience loved it.

Think it through: Which reply fits after the successful concert: “Break a leg!” or “Congratulations!”?

Check the explanation

“Congratulations!” fits the completed success. “Break a leg!” is normally a wish before a performance. The idiom is friendly in that setting, but a literal good-luck wish is clearer when the listener may not know the expression.

Your turn: Write a two-line exchange before a school play, ending with the performer’s reply.

Compare expressions: Look beyond the literal words

An idiom’s words can create a picture that differs from the intended message. Check the context before interpreting a phrase as a literal instruction or description.

Try the situation question and check your answer →

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