Explanation

  • To succeed in finding someone willing to have sex, often implying a casual encounter.
  • It frames the sexual encounter as a fortunate or successful outcome of an attempt to find a partner.

Origin

  • Comes from the idea of luck or good fortune being involved in achieving a desired outcome, in this case, finding a sexual partner.
  • Often used from a male perspective, implying effort was put into finding a willing partner.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Scored
  • Pulled (UK)
  • Hooked up
  • Got some action
  • Found someone

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Got laid
  • Got a piece of ass (very crude)

Milder/More Neutral:

  • Met someone
  • Had a successful night
  • Things went well

Situational Appropriateness

  • Highly informal, typically used among close friends.
  • Inappropriate in formal, professional, or polite company.
  • Can be seen as objectifying or crass depending on the context and listener.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Could theoretically be misunderstood as having good fortune in gambling or another non-sexual context, but the context usually makes the meaning clear.

Examples

  • Did you get lucky last night?
  • He went to the club hoping to get lucky.
  • She wasn't looking for anything serious, just hoping to get lucky.

Dialogue

Jake: How was the party last night?

Leo: It was great! Met someone interesting.

Jake: Oh yeah? Did you... get lucky?

Leo: Haha, maybe. Let's just say I didn't come home alone.

Social Media Examples

  • Banter tweet: Going out tonight with the squad, wish me luck... hoping to get lucky! 😉 #partynight #singlelife
  • Forum comment: Tried all the dating apps, still can't seem to get lucky. Any tips?
  • Meme caption: [Picture of someone looking hopeful] Me heading out on Friday night hoping to get lucky.

Response Patterns

  • To the question Did you get lucky?: Yeah, I did., Nah, no luck., Maybe... (coyly), None of your business.
  • Often met with a knowing smile, a wink, or laughter among friends.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • Who was it?
  • Tell me all about it!
  • Was it good?
  • A congratulatory slap on the back (among some groups).

Conversation Starter

  • No. Usually asked between friends, often the morning after a night out or social event.

Intonation

  • Often asked with a slightly suggestive or playful tone, sometimes with a rising intonation on lucky. Did you get LUCKY?
  • Can also be stated matter-of-factly.

Generation Differences

  • More common among younger adults and middle-aged groups, particularly men, though understood widely.

Regional Variations

  • Common in North American English.
  • Similar concepts exist elsewhere, e.g., pull in the UK.
Sleep together