How do you use "Break a leg" in a sentence?

Break a leg tonight! You've got your big presentation—break a leg! Break a leg out there.

Break a leg

Q: What does "Break a leg" mean?

Good luck (especially in theatre) A theatrical superstition where saying 'good luck' is considered bad luck, so performers wish each other harm instead. Now used broadly for any performance or important event.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

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Meaning: Good luck (especially in theatre)

祝好运（尤其在戏剧界）

Buena suerte (especialmente en teatro)

幸運を（特に演劇で）

행운을 빌어 (특히 공연에서)

A theatrical superstition where saying 'good luck' is considered bad luck, so performers wish each other harm instead. Now used broadly for any performance or important event.

戏剧界的迷信，认为说'good luck（祝好运）'会带来厄运，所以表演者反过来祝对方'倒霉'。现在广泛用于任何表演或重要事件。

Una superstición teatral por la que decir 'buena suerte' se considera de mala suerte, así que los actores se desean el mal en su lugar. Ahora se usa ampliamente para cualquier actuación o evento importante.

「good luck」と言うと不運になるという演劇界の迷信から、出演者は代わりにお互いに害を願う。現在ではどんなパフォーマンスや重要なイベントにも広く使われる。

반대로 말해서 행운을 비는 표현. 연극계에서는 직접 '행운을 빈다'고 하면 오히려 불운을 가져온다는 미신에서 유래.

Examples

Break a leg tonight!
今晚好好表现！祝你成功！
¡mucha mierda esta noche!
今夜は成功を祈る！
오늘 밤 행운을 빌어!
You've got your big presentation—break a leg!
你有重要演讲，祝你成功！
tienes tu gran presentación, ¡mucha mierda!
大事なプレゼンがあるんだね。うまくいくように！
중요한 발표가 있구나—잘 되길 바라!
Break a leg out there.
在舞台上好好加油
mucha mierda ahí fuera
舞台で頑張って
무대에서 잘 해!

Pronunciation

/breɪk ə leɡ/

Usage Guide

Context: theatre, performance, important events

Tone: encouraging, theatrical

✓ Do Say

Break a leg!
祝你成功！
¡mucha mierda!
頑張って！
행운을 빌어!
Break a leg tonight
今晚祝你顺利
mucha mierda esta noche
今夜は頑張って
오늘 밤 잘 해!

✗ Don't Say

Originally theatrical but now broader
原本是戏剧用语，但现在使用范围更广
Originalmente teatral pero ahora de uso más amplio
元々は演劇用語だが、今はより広く使われる
원래 연극 용어였지만 지금은 더 넓게 쓰임

Common Mistakes

Taking it literally

Origin & History

Theatre superstition, possibly from the idea that wishing someone good luck would tempt fate. Various theories exist: from the German 'Hals- und Beinbruch' (neck and leg break), or from actors 'breaking the leg line' (crossing onto stage).

Etymology: Theatre superstition, origins debated

First recorded: American theatre, early 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Early 20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Theatre tradition; Common well-wishing

Regional notes: Universal but especially theatre culture.

Variations

Break a legBreak a leg!