Break a leg

Meaning

Wish someone good luck without saying 'luck'.

Usage

Common among performers before a show.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

A theatrical superstition of wishing luck by saying the opposite; the exact origin is uncertain.

Recorded from the early 20th century.