Other Ways to Say "Good Luck"
Popular alternatives to "good luck" include "Best of luck," "Wishing you every success," "You've got this," "Fingers crossed for you," "I hope it goes brilliantly" and, for performers, "Break a leg." Pick the one that matches the occasion: confidence for exams, warmth for new chapters and polish for professional messages.
"Good luck" is friendly but very familiar, and some people quietly dislike it because it suggests the outcome is down to chance. The phrases below let you say something more personal, whether you're messaging a friend before a driving test, emailing a colleague before a pitch or writing in a farewell card.
Quick answer: Professional: "Best of luck with the launch," "Wishing you every success." Encouraging: "You've got this," "Your hard work will pay off." Friendly: "Fingers crossed!", "Go smash it!" Theatre and performances: "Break a leg."
On this page
Why look beyond "good luck"?
"Good luck" is a shortened wish, originally along the lines of "I wish you good luck." The word "luck" entered English in the late Middle Ages, most likely from Low German or Dutch, and has always carried the sense of fortune or chance.
That sense is exactly why some people prefer alternatives. Telling a well-prepared candidate "good luck" can feel as if you're ignoring the work they put in. Other phrases emphasize skill ("You're ready for this"), support ("I'm thinking of you") or specific hope ("I hope the panel sees what we see"). None of these is more correct than "good luck"; they just say something slightly different.
Alternatives grouped by what you want to convey
Confidence in their ability
These phrases shift the focus from chance to competence. They're ideal before exams, interviews, matches and presentations.
- You've got this.
- You're more than ready.
- Your preparation will pay off.
- Trust yourself; you know this stuff.
- Go show them what you can do.
- I have every confidence in you.
Warm support
These say "I'm with you" rather than "I hope you're lucky." They suit tough days, medical appointments and emotional milestones.
- Thinking of you today.
- Sending you lots of positive thoughts.
- I'm in your corner.
- Whatever happens, I'm proud of you.
Professional polish
For colleagues, clients and LinkedIn contacts.
- Best of luck with…
- Wishing you every success.
- All the best with the new role.
- I hope the presentation goes smoothly.
- Wishing you a successful launch.
Playful and casual
For friends, siblings and group chats.
- Fingers crossed!
- Go smash it!
- Knock 'em dead.
- Go get 'em.
- Kill it! (casual, mainly North American)
The full list at a glance
| Phrase | Tone | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Best of luck | Warm, neutral | Almost any situation |
| All the best | Warm, flexible | Farewells, new jobs, cards |
| Wishing you every success | Polished, formal | Colleagues, clients, cards |
| Wishing you all the best for… | Polite, UK/AU-leaning | Exams, new ventures |
| I hope it goes well | Sincere, simple | Interviews, appointments |
| I hope it goes brilliantly | Enthusiastic, British/Australian | Friends, colleagues |
| You've got this | Confident, encouraging | Exams, presentations |
| You're going to be great | Supportive | Performances, first days |
| You'll do brilliantly | Encouraging, UK/AU | Exams, interviews |
| You'll nail it | Casual, confident | Friends, teammates |
| Your hard work will pay off | Recognizing effort | Students, job seekers |
| Trust your preparation | Calm, coach-like | Athletes, test-takers |
| Fingers crossed for you | Friendly, hopeful | Results, outcomes |
| Keeping everything crossed | Jokey, British | Friends, family |
| Thinking of you today | Caring | Medical, emotional days |
| Sending positive vibes | Casual, upbeat | Younger friends, social media |
| Sending good thoughts your way | Gentle | Acquaintances, sensitive moments |
| Go smash it | Energetic, UK/AU slang | Friends, sport |
| Knock 'em dead | Playful, theatrical | Interviews, pitches, performances |
| Break a leg | Theatrical tradition | Actors, musicians, speakers |
| Chookas | Australian theatre slang | Australian performers backstage |
| Go get 'em | Casual, rallying | Kids, teammates |
| Show them what you've got | Confident | Auditions, competitions |
| May the odds be in your favor | Pop-culture, jokey | Fans, playful contexts |
| Here's hoping! | Light, informal | Uncertain outcomes |
| I'll be cheering you on | Supportive | Races, matches, performances |
| Wishing you a smooth journey | Polite | Travel, moves |
| Every success in your new chapter | Formal, heartfelt | Retirement, graduation cards |
| May all your hard work be rewarded | Formal, warm | Graduation, exam cards |
| Go well | Gentle, Australian/South African | Farewells, travel |
| Do your best and enjoy it | Low-pressure | Children, nervous beginners |
| Rooting for you | Supportive, North American | Friends, colleagues |
About "break a leg" and "chookas"
"Break a leg" is the best-known theatre substitute for "good luck," rooted in the superstition that wishing luck directly invites disaster. Its origin is genuinely uncertain. Theories range from bowing deeply (bending the leg), to performers getting past the "leg" curtains onto the stage, to translations of similar ironic wishes in other languages. None has firm evidence, so treat any confident origin story with caution.
"Chookas" (CHOOK-uhz) is the Australian theatre equivalent. A common story says it comes from a time when a full house meant the cast could afford chicken ("chook" in Australian English) for dinner. That account is widely repeated in Australian theatre circles but is best regarded as folklore. Outside theatre, most Australians wouldn't use it.
Example sentences by situation
Exams and study
- You've revised for weeks, Ella. Trust what you know and you'll do brilliantly.
- Thinking of you this morning; go smash that chemistry paper!
- Wishing you all the best for your HSC exams. We're so proud of how hard you've worked.
- Your effort this semester will pay off. I'll be waiting with pizza afterward.
Job interviews
- Best of luck at the interview tomorrow, Marcus. They'd be lucky to have you.
- Knock 'em dead at the panel this afternoon.
- You're more than ready for this role. Let me know how it goes!
Work and professional
- Wishing you every success with the Toronto launch next week.
- Best of luck with the board presentation; your slides are excellent.
- All the best in your new role at the Manchester office. You'll be missed here.
- I hope the client pitch goes smoothly. Shout if you need anything beforehand.
Performances and sport
- Break a leg tonight, Sophie! I'll be in row F.
- Chookas for opening night, everyone!
- I'll be cheering you on from the sideline at the marathon.
- Trust your training and enjoy the race.
Medical and difficult days
- Thinking of you today, Aunt Margaret. I hope the surgery goes smoothly.
- Sending you lots of love and good thoughts for your results appointment.
New chapters
- Every success in your new chapter, and enjoy every minute of retirement!
- Wishing you a smooth move to Perth. Send photos of the new place!
- Congratulations on starting your own bakery. May all your hard work be rewarded.
Children
- Do your best and enjoy the spelling bee. Whatever happens, I'm proud of you.
- Go get 'em at your first swimming carnival, champ!
Sample messages for real occasions
Text before a friend's driving test
Big day! You've practiced loads. Take it slow, check those mirrors and call me after. Fingers crossed!
Short, specific and practical: it reminds your friend they're prepared and gives them something to look forward to afterward. Between close friends, a single matching emoji is fine; in a work message, leave it out.
Email to a colleague before a major presentation
Hi Aisha,
Just wanted to say best of luck with the investor presentation tomorrow. The new market analysis section is really strong, and I know you'll handle the questions well. Let me know if you'd like a last run-through this afternoon.
Cheers, Ryan
Farewell card for a colleague
Dear Paul, it's been a pleasure working alongside you for six years. Wishing you every success at Hartley & Co. They don't know how lucky they are. All the best, Kate.
If the colleague thanks you, our guide on how to respond to "thank you" has natural replies. And if their news is a promotion rather than a move, how to respond to "congratulations" covers the other side of the conversation.
Message to someone facing a medical procedure
Hi Jo, thinking of you today and sending lots of love. No need to reply. I'll check in tomorrow, and I'm dropping some soup round at the weekend.
For sensitive situations, "good luck" can sound slightly off, as if recovery were a lottery. "Thinking of you" and "sending love" are gentler.
US vs UK vs Australia
United States. "Good luck," "Best of luck" and "You've got this" are everyday choices. "Rooting for you" is a distinctly North American phrase; in Australia, "root" has a vulgar slang meaning, so Americans writing to Australians should choose "cheering for you" instead. "Kill it" and "Knock 'em dead" are common casual encouragements.
United Kingdom. British English favors "All the best," "Best of luck" and the enthusiastic "You'll do brilliantly." "Keeping everything crossed" is a jokey extension of "fingers crossed." "Go smash it" is common among younger speakers. British exam wishes often refer to "revision" (studying) and "exams" rather than "tests."
Australia. Australians use "Good luck," "Best of luck" and "Go well," along with casual encouragements like "Go smash it" and "You'll be right." Avoid "rooting for you," which sounds rude to Australian ears. In theatre, "chookas" is the traditional wish. Exam messages often reference state exams such as the HSC (New South Wales) or VCE (Victoria).
What to avoid
❌ Good luck, you'll need it! ✅ Good luck, not that you'll need it!
The first version sounds like a jab at their chances.
❌ Good luck with your surgery. ✅ Thinking of you today, and wishing you a smooth recovery.
Medical outcomes aren't games of chance; gentler language feels more caring.
❌ Rooting for you! (to an Australian) ✅ Cheering you on!
A harmless American phrase can be awkward in Australia.
❌ Good luck! (to an actor backstage) ✅ Break a leg! / Chookas! (in Australia)
Theatre people often take the superstition seriously.
❌ Best of luck with that. (after a disagreement) ✅ I really hope it works out for you.
Clipped phrasing after conflict can sound dismissive.
❌ May the odds be ever in your favor. (to a nervous patient) ✅ Sending you strength and good thoughts.
Pop-culture jokes don't suit serious moments.
Memory trick: "Skill, support or stage?"
Before you write "good luck," ask whether the moment is about skill (exams, interviews: say "You've got this"), support (hard days: say "Thinking of you") or stage (performances: say "Break a leg"). Three S-words, three kinds of wish, and you'll always pick one that fits.
Practice quiz: pick the best wish
- Your friend is about to audition for a musical: (a) Good luck! (b) Break a leg! (c) Here's hoping!
- A colleague is leaving for a new job: (a) Good luck, you'll need it! (b) All the best in your new role. (c) Kill it!
- Your grandmother has a hospital appointment: (a) Fingers crossed it's not bad! (b) Thinking of you today, and sending love. (c) May the odds be in your favor.
- Messaging an Australian teammate before a big match: (a) Rooting for you! (b) Go smash it! (c) Chookas!
- Your niece has a spelling test at school: (a) Do your best and enjoy it! (b) Wishing you every success in your new chapter. (c) Knock 'em dead.
- Fill the blank: "______ with the client pitch on Thursday. Your research is excellent." (a) Best of luck (b) Break a leg (c) Go well
Answers
- (b) Saying "good luck" in theatre is traditionally avoided.
- (b) Warm and professional for a farewell.
- (b) Gentle support suits a medical moment.
- (b) Casual and friendly; "rooting" sounds rude in Australia, and "chookas" is for theatre.
- (a) Low-pressure encouragement suits a child.
- (a) Polished and warm for a work email.
Making your wish count
"Good luck" will always be welcome, but a well-chosen alternative tells the person you've thought about what they're facing. Recognize their effort before exams, offer support before hard days and follow tradition backstage. Add one specific detail, such as the name of the exam or the role, and even a short message will feel personal. When they come back with good news, our list of other ways to say "I'm proud of you" is ready for the next message.
Frequently asked questions
What is a professional way to say good luck?
“Best of luck with the presentation,” “Wishing you every success” and “I hope it goes well” are all professional and warm. For a colleague leaving, “All the best in your new role” is a natural choice. Adding a specific detail, such as the project name, makes the wish feel personal rather than generic.
Why do actors say ‘break a leg’ instead of good luck?
Theatre superstition holds that wishing someone good luck directly brings bad luck, so performers use an ironic substitute. The exact origin of “break a leg” is disputed; several theories exist, but none has been proven. It is now widely used for performances, auditions and sometimes other big moments.
Is it rude to say good luck?
No, it is a kind and common wish. However, some people feel it implies success depends on chance rather than skill, so for exams or interviews you might prefer “You’ve got this” or “Your preparation will pay off.” In theatre, saying “good luck” backstage is considered bad form.
How do you reply to ‘good luck’?
A simple “Thank you!” or “Thanks, I’ll need it!” works in most situations. You can also add a promise to share news: “Thanks, I’ll let you know how it goes.” If someone says “break a leg,” reply “Thanks!” rather than “Good luck to you too.”
What can I say instead of good luck for an exam?
Try “You’ve prepared for this,” “Trust what you know,” “Go smash it” or “Thinking of you today.” For younger students, encouragement about effort, such as “Just do your best and I’ll be proud,” relieves pressure better than talk of luck.
Is ‘best of luck’ sarcastic?
It usually isn’t, and it is very common in sincere emails and cards. However, in some contexts, especially after a disagreement, a clipped “Best of luck with that” can sound dismissive. Tone and context decide, so add a warm detail when you mean it kindly.