Meaning
A traditional theatrical idiom used to wish performers or speakers good luck without invoking bad luck.
Origin
Emerged in early 20th-century Western theater superstitions. Performers believed that directly wishing ‘good luck’ would tempt fate and cause disaster, so they wished the exact opposite.
Examples
You have trained for months for this concert, now go out there and break a leg!
Break a leg on your presentation this afternoon, I know you will do great.
The director shouted ‘break a leg’ to the cast right before the curtains opened.
A: I am so nervous about my audition in ten minutes!
B: Take a deep breath and break a leg!
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Break a leg' mean?
A traditional theatrical idiom used to wish performers or speakers good luck without invoking bad luck.
How do you say 'Break a leg' in Russian?
Ни пуха ни пера
How do you say 'Break a leg' in Spanish?
Mucha mierda
How do you say 'Break a leg' in French?
Bonne chance