lucky

[[t]lʌ̱ki[/t]]

♦♦♦

luckier, luckiest

1) ADJ-GRADED: oft ADJ to-inf You say that someone is lucky when they have something that is very desirable or when they are in a very desirable situation.

I am luckier than most. I have a job...

I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth...

He is incredibly lucky to be alive...

Those who are lucky enough to be wealthy have a duty to give to the hungry.

Syn:

fortunate

2) ADJ-GRADED Someone who is lucky seems to always have good luck.

Some people are born lucky aren't they?...

He had always been lucky at cards.

3) ADJ-GRADED If you describe an action or experience as lucky, you mean that it was good or successful, and that it happened by chance and not as a result of planning or preparation.

They admit they are now desperate for a lucky break...

He was lucky that it was only a can of beer that knocked him on the head.

4) ADJ: usu ADJ n A lucky object is something that people believe helps them to be successful.

He did not have on his other lucky charm, a pair of green socks.

5) → See also happy-go-lucky

6) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR if, PHR to-inf If you say that someone will be lucky to do or get something, you mean that they are very unlikely to do or get it, and will definitely not do or get any more than that.

You'll be lucky if you get any breakfast...

Those remaining in work will be lucky to get the smallest of pay increases...

You'll be lucky to have change out of ₤750.

7) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR to-inf/that If you say that someone can count themselves lucky, you mean that the situation they are in or the thing that has happened to them is better than it might have been or than they might have expected.

She counted herself lucky to get a job in one of Edinburgh's department stores...

At the end of two days, you may count yourself lucky that you don't have to live here.

8) CONVENTION You can use lucky in expressions such as `Lucky you' and `Lucky devil' when you are slightly jealous of someone else's good luck or success, or surprised at it. [INFORMAL]

`The thing about Mr Kemp is that he always treats me like a lady.' - `Lucky old you.'

9) PHRASE: V inflects If you strike lucky or strike it lucky, you have some good luck. [mainly BRIT, INFORMAL]

You may strike lucky and find a sympathetic and helpful clerk, but, there again, you might not.

10) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If you say that it is third time lucky for someone, you mean that they have tried to do a particular thing twice before and that this time they will succeed.

I've had two runners-up medals with Monaco and AC Milan, but I hope it will be third time lucky and I get a winners' medal with Rangers.

11) to thank one's lucky stars → see star