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Break a leg meaning in the English language refers to wishing someone good luck before they go on the stage to give a performance. ‘Break a Leg’ idiom is commonly used in the performing arts, especially in theatre.
Although this idiom has a negative interpretation, it is used as a superstition or a theatrical tradition. According to theories, this phrase was used for the first time by actors who believed that wishing someone good luck before their performance would cheer them up and encourage them to perform better.
Also read – Beating Around the Bush Meaning, Examples, Synonyms
Usage with Example Sentences
The usage of ‘Break a Leg’ is limited to the activities related to performances, especially in arts and theatre. Break a leg is an ironic or non-literal saying. Here’s an example of this idiom, ‘Don’t panic, you got this. Now go and break a leg.’
Here’s a list of examples of the ‘Break a Leg’ idiom which will give you an idea about how and when to use it.
- ‘The entire group said break a leg to each other before their final performance.’
- ‘I told my cousin to break a leg before he entered the examination hall.’
- ‘The music teacher wished the entire class to break a leg before the annual day performance.’
Break a Leg – Synonyms and Similar Words
There are various synonyms and similar words to the idiom ‘Break a Leg. Here’s a list of some of the most common similar words and synonyms to the phrase ‘Break a Leg’.
- Good luck
- All the best
- Godspeed
- Better luck next time
- Go nail it
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Break a Leg Meaning Quiz
My mother said ‘Break a Leg’ to me before my audition:
- I was very nervous
- There were a lot of people on the stage
- I was busy
Ans. I was very nervous.
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FAQs
“Break a leg” is said instead of “good luck” because it’s a theatrical superstition that wishing someone good luck directly will actually bring bad luck.
A similar saying for “break a leg” is “knock ’em dead,” which is also used to wish someone success, especially before a performance or important event.
Some of a few examples of the idiom break a leg in sentences are:-
1. Before the big audition, her friends told her to break a leg.
2. As he went on stage, his co-stars whispered, ‘Break a leg!’
3. Good luck with your presentation today—break a leg!
Read more grammatical blogs here!
This was all about the idiom Break a leg meaning and example. Hopefully, you understood the concept where it’s used. For more such blogs, explore the Learn English page of Leverage Edu.
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