Meaning

"Good luck" wishes someone a good result in something that's coming: an exam, an interview, a hard conversation. You say it right before the event, or when you say goodbye to someone who's heading into it. Add "with" and the thing: "good luck with the exam", "good luck with the move". Americans also say "good luck on your test".

There's a second, sarcastic use. "Good luck with that" in a flat voice means "I think your plan won't work". A friend says they'll finish a big report in one evening; you say "good luck with that" and raise your eyebrows. So the plain "good luck", said warmly, is support, and the longer "good luck with that", said flat, is doubt. On stage, actors avoid saying "good luck" before a show and say "break a leg" instead.

In a conversation

AmaraWei
  1. Amara
  2. Wei
  3. Amara
  4. Wei
  5. Amara
  6. Wei

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Check yourself

1Wei's last line is "Good luck with that." What does he mean?
2Which is the best thing to say to a friend right before a job interview?

Practice · 3 min

Listen, then say each line. Warm "good luck" rises a little at the end. Sarcastic "good luck with that" stays low and flat.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.