“Break a leg” is an English expression that means good luck, especially before a play, concert, audition, or other live performance.
It sounds strange because the literal words are negative. The usual explanation is that in theater, people avoided saying “good luck” directly because they thought it could bring bad luck. Instead, they used a different phrase, and “break a leg” became the famous choice.
The exact origin is not fully certain, but the connection to stage superstition is the key idea for learners. In modern English, the phrase is friendly and encouraging, not rude or harmful.
- Before the school play, the director said, “Break a leg, everyone.”
- My sister texted me, “Break a leg at your audition tonight!”
You will usually hear this expression in performance contexts, but some people also use it jokingly before a big presentation or interview. It is best understood as a warm, informal way to wish someone success.