good luck charm

American  

[good luhk chahrm] / ˈgʊd ˈlʌk ˌtʃɑrm /

noun

1. a small object, such as an amulet, worn or carried on one's person and believed to bring good luck or good fortune.

   The lieutenant carried the gold coin with him for the rest of the war as a good luck charm.

   She brought the miniature stuffed shark to her dissertation defense as a good luck charm—and to remind herself to be fierce.

2. something or someone seen as bringing good luck or good fortune.

   The team seems to win whenever Smith sings the national anthem, so they’re calling her their good luck charm.

   A simple sound effect—a man's brief, agonizing cry while being attacked by an alligator—has become a Hollywood in-joke and a good luck charm for various filmmakers.

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Example Sentences

He also revealed that his hotel had hung a picture of the late rock star "above the fireplace" of his room, "as a little good luck charm."

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

Taylor Swift’s fiercest loyalists might claim that she was the good luck charm that brought Kansas City another championship.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2024

Meanwhile, Joe was unconsciously stroking Hannah’s head like a good luck charm, trying not to get in the way.

From Slate • Nov. 26, 2023

Handmade in Amsterdam using braided Dutch sailing rope and maritime-inspired, stainless-steel D-shaped shackles, this men’s bracelet is a slim, subtle, put-on-once-and-wear-forever, goes-with-anything style that doubles as a good luck charm.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2022

How kind of Chizuko to bring a good luck charm!

From "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" by Eleanor Coerr