What does ‘break a leg’ mean?
To “break a leg” means to good luck (especially to a performer). A 20th-century theatrical superstition, not in Brewer's 1898; wishing 'good luck' was thought to invite bad luck, so the opposite was said.
Origin
- A 20th-century theatrical superstition, not in Brewer's 1898; wishing 'good luck' was thought to invite bad luck, so the opposite was said.
How to use it
- Almost exclusively used before a performance or audition.
- Example: You'll do great tonight — break a leg!
Source:
Last verified: 2026-07-18
- Definitions and origins are drawn from public-domain reference works, primarily Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898), with modern usage notes clearly marked.