What you tell someone about to perform in a drama or musical performance to wish them well.
What you don't say is "good luck".
What you don't say is "good luck".
by Doctor Livingstone May 19, 2005
by Rachmahler June 30, 2022
a well wishing phrase used in the theatre, and meant to be understood as "good luck." "good luck" is not used itself because it is believed to bring bad luck.
also, it can be a good luck gift given to an actor before a performance.
also, it can be a good luck gift given to an actor before a performance.
by t-t-t-taylaah July 15, 2006
From the beginning a term used to wish people in Show-buisness good luck befor they entered the stage. Nowerdays a more spread term to wish anybody good luck.
I know you can do it! Break a leg
by Dreamfallvn February 10, 2012
Break a leg!: Good luck!
by Iyad Mahdood January 25, 2013
a saying used in theater to imply "good luck" in a way that seems like they want you to be injured; usually jinxes the recipient to get injured during the preformance
by Atherius November 09, 2013
The idiom "break a leg" is commonly used to wish someone good luck, especially in the performing arts, such as before a stage performance or a theatrical production. The phrase is believed to have originated in the theater world, where it was considered bad luck to wish someone "good luck" before a performance. Instead, actors and performers would say "break a leg" as a way of wishing each other success. The phrase is now used more generally to wish someone good luck or success in any endeavor, not just in the performing arts.
The exact origin of the idiom is unclear, but there are several theories about its origin. One theory suggests that it may have originated in the theater world, where it was considered bad luck to wish someone "good luck" before a performance. Instead, performers would say "break a leg" as a way of expressing the opposite sentiment, hoping that the performer would have to take multiple bows at the end of the show, "breaking" the line of their leg as they did so.
The exact origin of the idiom is unclear, but there are several theories about its origin. One theory suggests that it may have originated in the theater world, where it was considered bad luck to wish someone "good luck" before a performance. Instead, performers would say "break a leg" as a way of expressing the opposite sentiment, hoping that the performer would have to take multiple bows at the end of the show, "breaking" the line of their leg as they did so.
by idiomsallday February 20, 2023