Other ways to say good luck: 22 phrases for every situation
The most useful other ways to say good luck are “All the best!” and “Best of luck!” (safe anywhere), “You’ve got this!” for someone nervous, “Fingers crossed!” while you wait for news, and “Break a leg!” for performers. Below are 22 phrases sorted by situation, what “break a leg” really means, how to reply, and mistakes to avoid.
By The YoFluent teamUpdated 5 min read
On this page
At work and for interviews (7)
| Say | Use it for | Example or note |
|---|---|---|
| All the best! | Anyone, very safe | “All the best for tomorrow’s interview!” |
| Best of luck! | Interviews, new jobs, projects | Slightly more formal than “good luck”. |
| Wishing you every success. | Formal: cards, emails | “Wishing you every success in your new role.” |
| I hope it goes well. | Interview, meeting, presentation | Natural and kind. |
| You’ve got this. | A colleague who is nervous | Shows confidence in them. |
| Go get ’em! | Before a pitch or a game, American | Energetic and casual. |
| Let me know how it goes. | After wishing luck | Shows you care about the result. |
For exams and results (6)
| Say | Use it for | Example or note |
|---|---|---|
| You’ll do great! | Exams, tests | Encouraging. |
| You’ve prepared so well. | Someone who is nervous | Reminds them of their effort. |
| Fingers crossed! | Waiting for results | Can be said with crossed fingers. |
| I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you. | Results, a job offer | Warm and common. |
| Knock ’em dead! | An exam or interview, casual | Means “impress them”. |
| Smash it! | Exams, a performance (UK) | Very casual. |
For performances and competitions (4)
| Say | Use it for | Example or note |
|---|---|---|
| Break a leg! | Actors, singers, performers | Theatre tradition: saying “good luck” is considered bad luck. |
| Knock it out of the park! | Any big moment (American) | From baseball: do really well. |
| Have fun out there! | Sports, concerts, games | Takes the pressure off. |
| Show them what you’ve got! | A competition | Energetic. |
When someone faces something hard (5)
| Say | Use it for | Example or note |
|---|---|---|
| I’m thinking of you. | An operation, a difficult day | Gentle and caring. |
| Sending positive vibes. | A friend, by text | Casual and warm. |
| Hope everything goes smoothly. | Surgery, moving house, a court date | Calm and kind. |
| I’m here if you need anything. | A hard situation | Offers support, not just luck. |
| Good luck with everything. | Someone leaving or starting again | Works in a goodbye card. |
How to reply to good luck
| They say | You can reply |
|---|---|
| “Good luck!” / “All the best!” | “Thanks!” · “Thanks, I’ll need it!” · “Thank you, I’ll let you know how it goes.” |
| “Break a leg!” | “Thanks!” (never “You too” unless they are performing as well) |
| “Fingers crossed!” | “Thanks, fingers crossed!” |
| “You’ve got this.” | “Thanks, I hope so!” |
Common mistakes
- “Best of luck for your exam”. Both “for” and “with” are used; “good luck with your exam” and “good luck in your new job” sound most natural.
- “Break a leg” to someone before surgery. It is only for performances.
- “Good luck” after the result is known. If they already passed, say “Congratulations!” instead.
- “All the very best of luck”. Too much; choose “All the best” or “Best of luck”.
More everyday phrases
See other ways to say congratulations for after the result, and our guides to job interview answers if the big day is an interview.
Frequently asked questions
What is another way to say good luck?
Common alternatives are “All the best”, “Best of luck”, “You’ve got this”, “Fingers crossed”, “I hope it goes well” and, for performers, “Break a leg.”
How do you say good luck professionally?
Say “All the best”, “Best of luck with the interview” or, in writing, “Wishing you every success in your new role.”
Why do people say “break a leg”?
“Break a leg” is a theatre tradition: wishing an actor “good luck” directly is considered bad luck, so people say the opposite. It is only used for performances such as plays, concerts and shows.
How do you reply to good luck?
Say “Thanks!”, “Thanks, I’ll need it!” or “Thank you, I’ll let you know how it goes.”
What can I say instead of good luck for an exam?
Try “You’ll do great!”, “You’ve prepared so well”, “You’ve got this!” or “I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.”
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- Break a leg, Wikipedia