break a leg
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Fracture one or more leg bones, as in She fell down the stairs and broke her leg in two places. [c. a.d. 1000]
Good luck! as in Play well, Rob—break a leg! The origin of this imperative to a performer about to go onstage is unclear; it may have been a translation of the German Hals und Beinbruch (“Break your neck and leg”), also of unknown origin. Equally mysterious is the Italian equivalent, In bocca di lupe, “Into the mouth of the wolf.” [c. 1900]
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!
In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”
Question 1 of 7
The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
Words nearby break a leg
breadthways, breadwinner, break, breakable, breakage, break a leg, break and entry, breakaway, breakbeat, breakbone fever, break bread
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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