beginner's luck

American  

noun

1. the initial good fortune or success commonly supposed to come to a person who has recently taken up a new pursuit, as a sport or game.

   Catching a large trout the first time you go fishing is simply beginner's luck.

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beginner's luck Idioms  

1. Good fortune in a first attempt or effort, as in I often use a brand-new recipe for a dinner party; I trust beginner's luck. [Late 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of beginner's luck

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Was the success of “Once” beginner’s luck or simply sparks cast off by one of its leads, Glen Hansard, Carney’s longtime bandmate in the Frames?

From New York Times • Oct. 3, 2023

Flush with beginner’s luck, she then dumped her entire stimulus check into her Robinhood account.

From The Verge • Aug. 25, 2021

Prospects: This is Harington’s first Emmy nomination, which means he has beginner’s luck on his side.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2016

The impressive rookies of 2015 must show that last time wasn’t a case of beginner’s luck.

From Washington Post • Jul. 25, 2016

It might have just been beginner’s luck, but it looked like this wasn’t going to be so hard after all.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney