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Find out what this common idiom actually means. The Surprising Origins of 'Break a Leg'—and Why Performers Love This Quirky Good Luck Charm Skip to main content
Break a leg" is an English-language idiom used in the context of theatre or other performing arts to wish a performer "good luck". An ironic or non-literal saying of uncertain origin (a dead metaphor ), [ 1 ] "break a leg" is commonly said to actors and musicians before they go on stage to perform or before an audition .
An idiom is a phrase or expression that largely or exclusively carries a figurative or non-literal meaning, rather than making any literal sense. Categorized as formulaic language , an idiomatic expression's meaning is different from the literal meanings of each word inside it. [ 1 ]
An idiom is a common word or phrase with a figurative, non-literal meaning that is understood culturally and differs from what its composite words' denotations would suggest; i.e. the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words (although some idioms do retain their literal meanings – see the example "kick the bucket" below).
A proverbial phrase or expression is a type of conventional saying similar to a proverb and transmitted by oral tradition. The difference is that a proverb is a fixed expression, while a proverbial phrase permits alterations to fit the grammar of the context. [1] [2] In 1768, John Ray defined a proverbial phrase as:
(on the pull) seeking a date or sex partner (slang) to move something towards oneself an injury to a muscle, tendon, or ligament, e.g. "I've pulled my hamstring." to carry out a task (esp. milit.) ("to pull guard duty") authority, influence ("He's got pull in that office.") (pull rank) the act of a supervisor exercising authority over a ...
Pull the plug [2] To kill, or allow to die Euphemism Removal of life support, such as turning off the power, or "pull the plug" on a ventilator keeping someone alive. Pumped full of lead Shot to death Informal Typically refers to being shot multiple times. Push up daisies [2] To have died and be buried under the ground Humorous, [1] Euphemistic [5]
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