- A single, fortunate event that happens unexpectedly or by chance.
- Emphasizes the element of chance in a positive outcome.
Explanation
Origin
- Stroke in this context means a 'turn', 'movement', or 'piece' (like a stroke of a brush or pen).
- So, a stroke of luck is one specific instance or 'piece' of good fortune occurring, often suddenly.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Lucky break
- Total fluke
- Jammy (UK slang adjective for lucky)
- Got lucky
- Pure chance
Vulgar/Emphatic (Expressing stronger relief or surprise at the luck):
- Got fucking lucky there.
- Pure dumb luck, thank fuck.
- Pulled that one out of my ass. (If the luck involved salvaging a bad situation)
Milder/Standard:
- A fortunate occurrence.
- A piece of good fortune.
- A lucky coincidence.
- It was purely by chance.
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate for almost all situations, both formal and informal.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Unlikely to be misunderstood; the meaning is fairly transparent.
Examples
- Finding my lost keys on the street was a real stroke of luck.
- By a stroke of luck, the meeting was postponed, giving me more time to prepare.
- Getting the last available ticket was just a stroke of luck.
- It was a stroke of luck that the expert happened to be visiting that day.
Dialogue
Person A: I thought I'd missed my flight, but it was delayed by an hour.
Person B: Wow, that was a stroke of luck!
Person A: Tell me about it! I ran to the gate thinking it was too late.
Social Media Examples
- Facebook Status: Lost my phone on the bus today, thought it was gone forever! By an amazing stroke of luck, someone handed it in to the driver! Faith in humanity restored. 🙏 #LuckyDay #GoodSamaritan
- Tweet: Needed one specific rare ingredient for a recipe, and the first shop I tried had it! What a stroke of luck! #Cooking #SmallWins
- Instagram Story: Caught the perfect sunset photo just as the clouds parted – pure stroke of luck! 🌅 #Photography #GoldenHour
Response Patterns
- Wow, that was lucky!
- Tell me about it! / I know, right?
- You certainly were fortunate.
- Good timing!
- Some people have all the luck! (Can be slightly envious but often lighthearted)
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Express shared surprise/relief: Phew, close call! / You really dodged a bullet there!
- Ask for more details about the event: How did that happen?
- Acknowledge the role of chance: Talk about being in the right place at the right time.
Conversation Starter
- No. Usually describes a specific past event.
Intonation
- Emphasis often on stroke or luck.
- Tone usually reflects mild surprise, gratitude, or acknowledgement of fortune.
- That was a real STROKE of LUCK.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across all generations.
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions.