Vocabulary practice · Episode 186

Review the useful expressions from the episode

Study the episode’s central expressions with English definitions, nuance and examples, plus reviewed support-language versions where available.

B1–B2Everyday EnglishAbout 4 min + dynamic ads5 PDF versions available
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A short study session

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  1. Choose one expression. Read its definition, nuance and examples.
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Vocabulary from the episode

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Expression 1

a stroke of luck

An unexpected event that brings a helpful or fortunate result.

Nuance: Use have a stroke of luck or say something was a stroke of luck; it describes an event, not a personality.

Finding two places after a cancellation was a stroke of luck.

It was a stroke of luck that I found my keys before the train left.

Expression 2

beginner’s luck

Unexpected success when someone tries an activity for the first time.

Nuance: Often playful, especially about yourself; saying it about another person can seem to dismiss their skill.

Martin joked that his first bowling strike was beginner’s luck.

I won my first chess game, but perhaps it was beginner’s luck.

Expression 3

down on your luck

Experiencing a period of difficulties or bad fortune, often involving money or work.

Nuance: Use be down on your luck with sympathy; it does not judge a person’s character or ability.

Our neighbour has been down on his luck since he lost work.

She helped an old friend who was down on her luck.

Expression 4

the luck of the draw

The way chance determines an outcome that you cannot choose.

Nuance: It need not involve a literal draw; it does need an element of chance, not simply an unwanted result.

Our teams were chosen from a bag, so my partner was the luck of the draw.

Seats were assigned randomly, and getting a window seat was the luck of the draw.

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