Language Focus : Idioms & Expressions about Superstitions

to push one's luck

• to try to get more than what you have already obtained and risk spoiling the situation

• to hope strongly that something will or won't happen

• to take advantage of a favorable situation for as long as you can

Answer explanation

"You've got your father's permission to go to the concert. Don't push your luck by trying to borrow his car. "

to make hay while the sun shines

• to try to get more than what you have already obtained and risk spoiling the situation

• to hope strongly that something will or won't happen

• to take advantage of a favorable situation for as long as you can

Answer explanation

If you make hay while the sun shines, you ensure you make the best use of opportunities and positive situations. The origin of this idiom or proverb is faily self-explanatory. Hay can be spoiled by rain or wet weather. Farmers need to make the most of sunny weather during harvest time by completing haymaking tasks such as cutting or drying the hay.

- The Tourists won't be here forever, so we'd better make hay while the sun shines.

- "I want to move to Australia, but my company has offered me a promotion and pay increase. I guess I'll stay because we have to make hay while the sun shines."

to keep your fingers crossed

• to try to get more than what you have already obtained and risk spoiling the situation

• to hope strongly that something will or won't happen

• to take advantage of a favorable situation for as long as you can

Answer explanation

- We're keeping our fingers crossed that he'll be healthy again very soon.

- Let's keep our fingers crossed that it doesn't rain.

Take potluck: "We were so hungry we decided to take potluck and stopped at the first restaurant we saw."

• to accept whatever is available without knowing what it will be like

• to be in a good or fortunate situation, especially compared to others who are not so lucky

Sitting pretty: "He sold his shares at a good time so he's now sitting pretty and enjoying life"

• to accept whatever is available without knowing what it will be like

• to be in a good or fortunate situation, especially compared to others who are not so lucky

Fat chance : "The boss is thinking of me for the job? Fat chance!"

• The expression means that even if everything is not satisfactory at present, there will be opportunity for things to improve.

• The expression is used to indicate that something is not very likely to happen.

Tomorrow's another day: "For the moment you need some rest; tomorrow's another day!"

• The expression means that even if everything is not satisfactory at present, there will be opportunity for things to improve.

• The expression is used to indicate that something is not very likely to happen.

That ship has sailed: "Is the offer still open?" "Sorry, that ship has sailed - you've missed your chance!"

• You find exactly what you need: satisfaction, wealth, happiness, etc.

• A particular opportunity has passed by and it's now too late.

Strik gold: "I think she has struck gold this time in her new job. It suits her perfectly!"

• You find exactly what you need: satisfaction, wealth, happiness, etc.

• A particular opportunity has passed by and it's now too late.