A "stroke of luck" is an idiom that describes a sudden, unexpected piece of good fortune or a fortunate event. It implies that the positive outcome was largely due to chance or coincidence, rather than skill or planning.
The origin likely comes from the idea of a single, decisive action or event (the "stroke") having a significant impact. The phrase has been in use for over a century.
The register is neutral. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
"Stroke of luck" can be used in various grammatical constructions. You can modify it with adjectives (e.g., "a fabulous stroke of luck") or use it as the subject or object of a sentence. You can also use it in questions (though less common).
It sounds unnatural to use it in a completely literal sense (e.g., referring to a physical stroke causing luck). Over-analyzing the individual words can also lead to misinterpretations. For example, saying something like "It was a small stroke of luck" might sound odd, as the idiom inherently implies a significant positive impact.
These examples are sourced from stroke of luck on Ludwig.guru.
"That was a fabulous stroke of luck." — nytimes.com
"It was a stroke of luck." — nytimes.com
"We've had a stroke of luck today"." — theguardian.com
"A stroke of luck changed the mood." — theguardian.com
"But after much searching he had a stroke of luck." — theguardian.com
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/stroke+of+luck
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| piece of luck | A general term for good fortune; slightly less emphatic than "stroke of luck". |
| fluke | Implies a completely accidental and unexpected success. |
| windfall | Suggests a sudden and unexpected gain, often financial. |
| lucky break | Emphasizes the opportunity that the luck provides. |
| godsend | Implies that the good fortune is a blessing or divine intervention. |
| fortunate turn of events | A more formal and descriptive alternative. |
| bit of good fortune | A mild and understated way to describe luck. |
| Expression | Idiomatic Meaning | Register | Avoid In |
|---|---|---|---|
| stroke of luck | A sudden and unexpected instance of good fortune. | Neutral | Very formal or technical writing. |
No, the expression "stroke of luck" is almost always used figuratively. It refers to an unexpected and positive event, not to a physical stroke of any kind leading to fortunate circumstances. The idiomatic meaning is firmly established.
While both phrases refer to good fortune, "stroke of luck" implies a more significant and impactful event than a simple "piece of luck." A "stroke of luck" suggests a turning point or a major positive change, whereas a "piece of luck" can be a smaller, less consequential fortunate event.
A common mistake is to misunderstand the figurative use of the word "stroke" and attempt to quantify or modify it in a way that sounds unnatural. For example, saying "It was a tiny stroke of luck" is less common and might sound odd because the idiom typically refers to a more substantial instance of good fortune. Remember, it’s about the impact of the luck, not the size of the event itself.
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