Cut your losses

[1311] Luck of the draw

🎲 Hit the ground running
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • The outcome is determined purely by chance, like drawing lots or cards; fate or random selection.

Origin

  • Refers to practices where choices or assignments are made by randomly drawing something (like names from a hat, straws, or cards).
  • The outcome depends solely on which item is drawn – luck.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Pure chance
  • Fate
  • A toss-up
  • Pot luck (Similar, often refers to taking whatever is available, like food at a shared meal)
  • The way the cookie crumbles (Acceptance of misfortune)
  • Hit or miss

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Random chance
  • Roll of the dice
  • Whatever happens, happens
  • It is what it is (General acceptance of circumstances)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Shit luck (Specifically bad luck)
  • Fucking random

Milder:

  • A matter of chance
  • Determined by chance
  • Arbitrary outcome

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to Semi-formal.
  • Generally acceptable in most situations, though perhaps a bit too casual for highly formal reports on selection processes.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Relatively straightforward. Ensure understanding that it implies a complete lack of control or influence over the outcome.

Examples

  • Which team we play first is just the luck of the draw.
  • I got the worst dorm room, but that's the luck of the draw.
  • Some people are naturally talented; others aren't. It's the luck of the draw.

Dialogue

Anna: I can't believe I got assigned the night shift again!

Ben: Yeah, it's just the luck of the draw, isn't it? They pull names out of a hat.

Anna: I know, but it still feels unlucky. My sleep schedule is going to be ruined.

Ben: Maybe you can trade with someone?

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: Got randomly selected for jury duty. Oh well, luck of the draw! #civicduty #random
  • Instagram Caption: Didn't win the competition, but congrats to the winner! It was the luck of the draw. Still had fun participating! #giveaway #chance
  • Forum Post: Which starting position you get in the race is pure luck of the draw based on qualifying times. #racing #strategy

Response Patterns

  • Yeah, you can't control everything.
  • That's life, I guess.
  • Fair enough.
  • Still seems unfair though!
  • I guess so.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • Usually, this expression ends a line of inquiry about fairness or control.
  • Someone might express sympathy if the outcome was bad (That sucks).
  • Or they might move on to discussing how to deal with the random outcome.

Conversation Starter

  • No. Usually used to explain or comment on a situation determined by chance.

Intonation

  • Stress often on luck and draw.
  • Usually said with a tone of acceptance, resignation, or sometimes neutrality. LUCK of the DRAW.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood and used across generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all major English-speaking regions.
Cut your losses
🎲 Hit the ground running