catch lightning in a bottle

American  

[kach lahyt-ning in uh bot-l] / ˈkætʃ ˈlaɪt nɪŋ ɪn ə ˈbɒt l /

idiom

1. to accomplish something extraordinarily difficult; achieve rare success.

   So far we’re underdogs this season, and will have to catch lightning in a bottle to make the playoffs.

   The network is seeking to catch lightning in a bottle twice by rebooting the popular series.

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Etymology

Origin of catch lightning in a bottle

First recorded in 1905–10, in the literal sense

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

catch lightning in a bottle

They just need to catch lightning in a bottle and have that one feel-good win and I think a lot of this conversation will change.”

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 25, 2022

He developed a lighter, softer surfboard he called the Swizzle, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle for a second time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2021

You can’t catch lightning in a bottle twice.

From Fox News ● Feb. 24, 2020

As Levy tells it, he saw Daniels, an old friend, in the Wall Street Journal last week and tried to catch lightning in a bottle.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 21, 2018

And the premium cable channel hopes to catch lightning in a bottle once again with a series based on Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods,” executive produced by Bryan Fuller of “Hannibal” fame.

From Salon ● Nov. 6, 2016