break-a-leg 

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.

hey jim, break-a-leg tonite.

did you like the shirt i got you as a break-a-leg?

break-a-leg by t-t-t-taylaah July 15, 2006

break a leg 

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".

Hey, hope you break a leg tonight.

break a leg by Doctor Livingstone May 20, 2005

Break a leg 

Slang for good luck.

Person 1: Break a leg!
Person 2: Thanks I needed that.

Break a leg by Rachmahler June 29, 2022

Break a leg 

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

Break a leg by Dreamfallvn March 22, 2012

Break a leg 

Break a leg!: Good luck!

"I understand you have a job interview tomorrow, Reham. Break a leg!"

Break a leg by Iyad Mahdood January 25, 2013

break a leg 

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

I told him to break a leg at his preformance of Lysistrata. He didn't seem pleased.

break a leg by Atherius November 11, 2013

Break a leg 

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.

Goodluck on your street performance, break a leg!

Break a leg by idiomsallday February 19, 2023