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

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

British WWE star Drew McIntyre tells Newsbeat he feels Ace is his "good luck charm", after he was the first person to interview him following his Royal Rumble success.

From BBC • Jan. 19, 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

Outman originally received it early in his triple-A stint last year, when Oklahoma City pitcher Marshall Kasowski passed it along as a good luck charm from the pitching staff.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2023

They'd walked into a bingo hall once and heard him tell an old lady he was her troll doll, the only good luck charm she'd ever need.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds