strike it lucky: Idiom Meaning and Origin

The idiom "strike it rich" is closely related to the expression "strike it lucky." Both idioms involve the notion of unexpectedly obtaining wealth or experiencing great financial success. While "strike it lucky" has a broader sense of general good fortune, "strike it rich" specifically refers to achieving significant wealth or financial abundance. This idiom can be used to describe situations where someone becomes extremely wealthy, often through a stroke of luck or by taking a risk that pays off.

When someone "strikes it rich," it means that they have suddenly and unexpectedly come into a large amount of money or gained considerable wealth. The idiom conveys the idea that this wealth was obtained through luck or fortune rather than through hard work or deliberate planning. It implies that the person has had a remarkable stroke of luck or fortune that has propelled them into a new level of financial success.

For example, imagine a person who purchases a lottery ticket and wins a multimillion-dollar jackpot. In this scenario, they have not only "struck it lucky" but also "struck it rich." They have experienced a stroke of luck by winning the lottery and have become extremely wealthy as a result. This idiom emphasizes the suddenness and unexpectedness of the financial success, as well as the element of luck or chance involved.

In a similar vein, the idiom "luck out" is also related to the concept of strike it lucky. "Luck out" is an informal expression that means to be fortunate or lucky, often in a specific situation or endeavor. It can be used to describe instances where someone benefits from a fortunate turn of events or takes advantage of an unexpected opportunity.

When someone "lucks out," it means that they have been unexpectedly lucky or fortunate. They have experienced a positive outcome, often due to circumstances beyond their control or expectations. This idiom carries a sense of being fortunate or avoiding a negative outcome through sheer luck or chance.

For example, imagine a person who is attending a job interview and is expecting tough competition. However, all the other candidates suddenly withdraw their applications, leaving this person as the sole applicant. In this scenario, they have "lucked out" because they have unexpectedly benefited from the absence of competition. This idiom emphasizes the element of luck or chance in achieving a positive outcome.

Similarly, the idiom "stroke of luck" can also be associated with the idea of "striking it lucky." A "stroke of luck" is an event or circumstance that brings unexpected good fortune or success. It can be used to describe situations where someone experiences a sudden or unexpected turn of events that leads to a positive outcome.

When someone experiences a "stroke of luck," it means that they have had a fortunate or lucky occurrence that has worked in their favor. This idiom emphasizes the element of chance or luck in achieving a favorable outcome that was not necessarily anticipated or planned.

For example, imagine a person who is searching for a parking space in a crowded city. They have been driving around for a while and are about to give up when suddenly, someone pulls out of a prime parking spot, allowing them to park easily. In this scenario, they have had a "stroke of luck" because they have unexpectedly encountered a favorable situation that has made their task easier. This idiom highlights the element of chance or luck in benefiting from a fortuitous event.

Finally, the idiom "hit the jackpot" is also related to the concept of striking it lucky. "Hit the jackpot" is an idiomatic expression that means to achieve an outstanding success or gain a significant reward. It can be used to describe situations where someone achieves an overwhelmingly positive outcome or accomplishes something remarkable.

When someone "hits the jackpot," it means that they have experienced a tremendous amount of success or have obtained a highly desirable outcome. This idiom is often associated with winning a large sum of money in a game of chance or achieving a major goal or milestone. It conveys the idea of achieving an extraordinary level of success or obtaining a highly valuable prize.

For example, imagine a person who has been working on a business venture for years. Suddenly, their product becomes wildly popular, and they start making millions of dollars in revenue. In this scenario, they have "hit the jackpot" because they have achieved an exceptional level of financial success. This idiom emphasizes the magnitude and significance of the accomplishment, as well as the element of luck or fortune involved in achieving such a result.

To summarize, the idiom "strike it lucky" is closely related to the idioms "strike it rich," "luck out," "stroke of luck," and "hit the jackpot." These idioms all share the common theme of experiencing unexpected good fortune, whether it be through obtaining wealth, achieving success, benefiting from a fortunate turn of events, or reaching outstanding accomplishments. They highlight the element of luck, chance, and unexpectedness in life's positive outcomes and convey the idea that extraordinary success and valuable rewards can be obtained through unanticipated means.