Practice
Break a leg: meaning and use in English
Sign in to saveJust before a play begins, an actor's friend says, 'Break a leg!' The friend is not hoping for an injury. In this setting, break a leg is an unusual but friendly way to wish the actor success.
Understand break a leg as an informal way to wish a performer success, use it in suitable performance contexts, and choose good luck when the meaning could be unclear.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
break a leg /breɪk ə leɡ/
The short answer
Say break a leg to wish a performer success before a performance, audition, or similar event: 'Break a leg in your audition tomorrow!' It is a friendly idiom, not a warning or a wish that someone gets hurt. Use good luck when the person or setting may not understand the idiom.
Before the concert, Nia's brother said, 'Break a leg on stage tonight!'
Why it works: He wishes Nia success before she performs.
6 more examples
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Before her first performance, Zara's stage manager said, 'Break a leg!'
The stage manager wishes Zara success before she performs.
Not this:Zara slipped on the stairs and
hurt her legbefore the performance. What changes: This is a real injury, so the idiom does not describe the situation. -
We all told Marco to break a leg before the school play.
Marco is about to act in a play, so the group is wishing him success.
Not this:We told Marco to
wear comfortable shoesbefore the school play. What changes: This is practical advice, not an idiomatic wish of success. -
'Break a leg in your audition tomorrow,' the director said to Amina.
The director encourages Amina before an audition.
Not this:The director gave Amina
a list of songsfor her audition. What changes: The list may help Amina prepare, but it is not a good-luck message. -
Her friend sent 'Break a leg!' before she went on stage.
The message is a brief, informal wish for a successful performance.
Not this:Her friend sent
directions to the theaterbefore she went on stage. What changes: Directions help with travel and do not express a wish for success. -
'Break a leg,' Sam whispered as Dani waited behind the curtain.
Waiting behind the curtain shows that Dani is about to perform.
Not this:Sam warned Dani to
watch the loose cablebehind the curtain. What changes: A safety warning needs direct language because a real accident is possible. -
The band wished each other good luck, then said, 'Break a leg!' before the live set.
Both expressions wish the band a successful performance.
Not this:The band canceled the live set because the
venue was unsafe. What changes: Safety is the main issue here, so an idiomatic wish would not be appropriate.
Read the full guide
Look for a performance that is about to begin. Break a leg is most natural when a person is going on stage, taking an audition, or preparing to entertain an audience. The phrase sounds surprising because its literal words are negative, but the idiom has a positive purpose in this context.
Recognize the performance context
Break a leg is usually said before a person performs. Look for clues such as a stage, audience, concert, play, dance show, or audition. Those clues tell you that the phrase is a good-luck wish rather than a statement about a real leg.
The presenter said, 'Break a leg,' before Luis walked onto the stage.
Luis is about to speak to an audience, so the phrase means good luck.
Does break a leg mean that the presenter wants Luis to be injured?
No. In this performance context, it is a friendly wish for success.
Use it as a wish for success
People often use the idiom by itself: 'Break a leg!' They can also put it in a longer sentence with to: 'We told Priya to break a leg.' The person receiving the wish is usually about to do something in front of other people.
Her classmates told Priya to break a leg before her dance audition.
The classmates wish Priya well before she tries to win a place in the dance group.
What does to break a leg mean in this sentence?
It means to wish Priya good luck.
Choose suitable events
The idiom is strongly linked to performers. It is common before a play, concert, comedy set, dance show, or audition. Some speakers use it before a speech or competition, especially if the event feels like a performance. In a general exam, job interview, or ordinary meeting, good luck is more widely understood.
'Break a leg tonight,' Omar said to his sister before her violin recital.
A recital is a public music performance, so the idiom fits naturally.
Which is safer before an ordinary job interview: break a leg or good luck?
Good luck is safer because every listener will understand the direct meaning.
Avoid the literal meaning when safety matters
The same words can be literal when they describe an injury or an accident. Context decides the meaning. Do not say break a leg as a joke when someone is using stairs, recovering from an injury, or doing an activity with a real risk. Choose direct, supportive words instead.
Before the hike, Lea said, 'Good luck, and take care on the steep path.'
The path could cause a real injury, so a direct safety message is better than the idiom.
Why is break a leg unsuitable before a risky hike?
The words could sound like a reference to a real injury rather than a good-luck wish.
Use a clear alternative when needed
Good luck is the clearest alternative. You can also say 'I hope the show goes well,' 'You will do well,' or 'Enjoy the performance.' These choices make the positive meaning plain. They are useful for learners, formal messages, and any setting where the idiom may be unfamiliar.
I hope your presentation goes well tomorrow.
This sentence gives encouragement without relying on an idiom.
What can you say if you are unsure whether a person knows break a leg?
Say good luck or use another direct wish for success.
Before you go
Remember this
Break a leg means good luck before a performance or audition. Use it as a friendly message to a performer, often just before they go on stage. The phrase is figurative in that context. Choose good luck or a direct supportive sentence when the audience, event, or safety situation makes the idiom unclear.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
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Try the written questionsQuestions about "Break a leg: meaning and use in English"
What does break a leg mean in English?
Break a leg means good luck, especially when said to an actor, musician, dancer, or another person before a performance. The phrase sounds negative if read literally, but in a theater or audition context it is a friendly wish for success.
Before her first performance, Zara's stage manager said, 'Break a leg!'
Why do people say break a leg before a performance?
People use break a leg as a traditional informal expression of support before a performance or audition. It is common in performing arts settings, where the listener understands that the speaker means good luck rather than an actual injury.
Zara slipped on the stairs and hurt her leg before the performance.
Can I say break a leg before an interview or exam?
Some people may understand break a leg before a challenging public event, but good luck is a safer choice before an interview or exam. The idiom is most natural when the person is about to perform for an audience or attend an audition.
We all told Marco to break a leg before the school play.
Is break a leg polite or informal?
Break a leg is friendly and informal. It fits a message between friends, a backstage conversation, or a supportive comment to a performer. In a formal message or with someone who may not know the idiom, use good luck or a direct wish instead.
We told Marco to wear comfortable shoes before the school play.
When should I avoid saying break a leg?
Avoid break a leg when there is a real risk of injury, when someone is recovering from an injury, or when the performance context is missing. The literal words may sound uncomfortable or confusing. Say good luck, take care, or I hope it goes well instead.
'Break a leg in your audition tomorrow,' the director said to Amina.