10 Ways to Say “Good Luck”

In English, wishing someone well before a big event is a fantastic way to offer support and encouragement. While saying “Good luck” is always appropriate, native speakers often use many different phrases to express specific kinds of hope and support. Learning 10 Ways to Say “Good Luck” will help you choose the perfect expression, whether you’re cheering on a friend before an exam, wishing a colleague well on a new job, or sending off an athlete, making you sound much more fluent and supportive.

Encouraging Expressions for Success

These expressions are divided by the tone you want to convey: from casual and lighthearted to more sincere and encouraging.

Standard and Sincere Wishes

These are versatile and work well in almost any situation, whether formal or casual.

1. All the best!
   • Meaning & Use: A very general, warm, and heartfelt phrase used to wish someone happiness and success in their future endeavors. It’s perfect when someone is starting a new life chapter.
   • Example: “I’m moving to Toronto next week for my new job.” → “All the best! I hope you love your new city.”
2. I hope it goes well.
   • Meaning & Use: A simple, sincere, and direct expression of hope that the event or situation turns out positively. It’s great when the outcome is important.
   • Example: “I have my final interview this afternoon.” → “I hope it goes well! You deserve that job.”
3. Wishing you the best.
   • Meaning & Use: Similar to “All the best,” but slightly more formal. This is often used when signing off a letter or an email related to a professional pursuit.
   • Example: “I’m sending in my application for the scholarship today.” → “Wishing you the best! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.”

Casual and Energetic Encouragement

These phrases are high-energy and perfect for friends or family, especially before a competition, presentation, or test.

4. You got this!
   • Meaning & Use: A very common, modern, and high-energy expression of confidence. It means, “You have the ability to succeed; you don’t even need luck!”
   • Example: “I have to give a presentation to the whole board.” → “You got this! You know the material perfectly.”
5. Knock ’em dead!
   • Meaning & Use: This is an enthusiastic, idiomatic phrase used to encourage someone to do an amazing job, especially in a performance, audition, or competitive situation.
   • Example: “I’m about to walk on stage for my stand-up routine.” → “Knock ’em dead! Make them laugh.”
6. Fingers crossed!
   • Meaning & Use: A short, informal phrase accompanied by the action of crossing one’s index and middle fingers. It physically expresses a hope for a successful outcome.
   • Example: “I’m checking the exam results in five minutes.” → “Fingers crossed! Let me know what happens.”
7. Go get ’em!
   • Meaning & Use: A highly motivating, spirited phrase, especially used before sports games, competitions, or difficult challenges. It means “Go and win!”
   • Example: “We’re heading out to the final soccer match now.” → “Go get ’em! Bring home the trophy!”

Situational and Unique Wishes

These phrases work best in specific contexts, often when the outcome is based on chance or a single performance.

8. Break a leg!
   • Meaning & Use: This classic, old-fashioned phrase is specifically used to wish actors or performers good luck before a show. In the theater world, saying “good luck” is considered bad luck!
   • Example: “I’m stepping out to the stage now for the first act.” → “Break a leg! See you after the curtain call.”
9. May the odds be ever in your favor.
   • Meaning & Use: This phrase has become popular culture slang (from a famous book/movie series). It’s a fun, dramatic, and slightly tongue-in-cheek way to wish someone luck when the situation is difficult or random.
   • Example: “I’m entering my name into the company lottery for the extra vacation days.” → “May the odds be ever in your favor!”
10. Best of luck with your [event/task].
    • Meaning & Use: This is a slightly more formal and specific way of saying “Good luck.” Adding the specific event (interview, move, presentation) makes the wish feel more personal and targeted.
    • Example: “I’m spending all weekend working on my proposal.” → “Best of luck with your proposal! I hope it’s approved.”

Phrases in Conversation

Here are a few short dialogues showing how to use these 10 Ways to Say “Good Luck” in real-life exchanges.

Dialogue 1 (Professional)

Colleague A: “I’m flying out tomorrow for my relocation to the Paris office.”

Colleague B: “Wishing you the best! I know you’ll do great things there.”

Dialogue 2 (Casual/Competition)

Athlete: “I’m so nervous before this final round.”

Coach: “You got this! Don’t forget everything we practiced. Go get ’em!”

Dialogue 3 (Performance)

Musician: “My audition for the university orchestra is in 10 minutes.”

Friend: “Break a leg! Just remember to relax and enjoy the music.”

Quick Tips for Choosing the Right Phrase

Situation	Recommended Expression	Why?
New life event (Job, move, school)	All the best! / Wishing you the best.	These are warm, general, and suitable for major transitions.
Performance (Acting, music, speech)	Break a leg! / Knock ’em dead!	These are highly situational and energetic phrases used to motivate.
Competition/Test (Sports, exams)	You got this! / Go get ’em!	These show confidence in their skill and encourage them to fight hard.
Hoping for a favorable outcome	I hope it goes well. / Fingers crossed!	These express hope for factors outside of their control (e.g., waiting for results).

Using these 10 Ways to Say “Good Luck” in English will instantly make your interactions feel richer, warmer, and more engaging. It shows that you’re not just speaking the language, but you’re also connecting with the emotion of the conversation.

Try using the enthusiastic phrase “You got this!” the next time a friend or family member is facing a challenge. Which one will you try first?