IDIOMS: LUCK

CREATE IDIOMS
Task 1: Use the words from the box to create the idioms.

break Beginner's disguise Happy draw time fingers star

1. Beginner’s luck.

2. Lucky break.

3. Luck of the draw.

4. A blessing in disguise.

5. Happy-go-lucky.

6. Third time lucky.

7. Born under a lucky star.

8. Cross one's fingers.

ESL Pals 1 Grammar Worksheet

 EXAMPLE SENTENCES AND DEFINE
Task 1: Read the sentences below which use the idioms correctly.

1. I had never played poker before, but I won the first game. It must have been
beginner's luck.

2. I was struggling to find a job, but I got a lucky break when my friend recommended
me for a position at their company.

3. We all bought raffle tickets, and the winner was chosen randomly. It was just the
luck of the draw.

4. I was disappointed when I didn't get the job, but it turned out to be a blessing in
disguise because I found an even better opportunity.

5. Sarah always has a cheerful attitude and never worries about anything. She's such a
happy-go-lucky person.

6. I tried to fix my bike twice, but it didn't work. I hope that third time's lucky.

7. Ever since he was a child, he seemed to have a lot of good fortune. I think he was
born under a lucky star.

8. I'm crossing my fingers that the weather will be nice for our picnic tomorrow.

Task 2: Match the idioms in bold from task 1 to their meanings.

Beginner's luck. 3 Lucky break. 4 Luck of the draw. 1

A blessing in disguise. 6 Happy-go-lucky. 7 Third time lucky. 3

Born under a lucky star. 8 Cross one's fingers. 5

1. when something is determined by chance or luck rather than skill or effort.

2. a belief that after two unsuccessful attempts, the third attempt will be successful.

3. unexpected success experienced by someone who is new to a particular activity.

4. a sudden and unexpected event or opportunity that brings good fortune.

5. a superstitious gesture in the hope of good luck or success.

6. a seemingly negative situation that actually leads to a positive outcome.

7. describes a carefree and cheerful person who doesn't worry about problems.

8. refers to someone who seems to have good luck and success in life.

ESL Pals 2 Grammar Worksheet

 COMPLETE THE SENTENCES
Use the idioms to complete the sentences, you may need to change the verb tense.

Beginner's luck. Lucky break. Luck of the draw.

A blessing in disguise. Happy-go-lucky. Third time lucky.

Born under a lucky star. Cross one's fingers.

1. I'm crossing my fingers that I can find a parking spot in this busy area.

2. I was upset when I couldn't go on the trip, but it turned out to be a blessing in
disguise because I was able to stay home and finish an important project.

3. I was stuck in traffic and thought I would be late for the meeting, but I had a lucky
break when I found a shortcut.

4. All the seats on the aeroplane were assigned randomly, so it was just the luck of
the draw that I ended up with a window seat.

5. Even though he lost his job, he's still a happy-go-lucky person and always looks on
the bright side.

6. I've tried to make this recipe twice before, and it didn't turn out right. I'm hoping that
it’s third time lucky.

7. I've never played darts before, but I managed to hit the bullseye on my first try. It
must be beginner’s luck.

8. She always wins everything she enters. It's like she was born on a lucky star.

ESL Pals 3 Grammar Worksheet

Use the idioms to complete the sentences, you may need to change the verb tense.

Beginner's luck. Lucky break. Luck of the draw.

A blessing in disguise. Happy-go-lucky. Third time lucky.

Born under a lucky star. Cross one's fingers.

9. I never played pool before, but I managed to sink three balls in a row on my first
turn. I must have beginner’s luck.

10. I was running late for my flight, but I got a lucky break when the security line was
shorter than usual.

11. There were so many good applicants for the job that the final decision was simply
the luck of the draw.

12. I was disappointed when my vacation got cancelled due to bad weather, but it
turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I found a new hobby while I was at
home.

13. Even though she was dealing with a difficult situation, she remained her usual
happy-go-lucky self and made the best of it.

14. I've been trying to grow tomatoes in my garden for 2 years now without success,
but this season I'm hoping that it’s third time lucky.

15. He seems to win at everything he does, from contests to sports. I think he was born
on a lucky star.

16. I'm crossing my fingers that I get a good grade on my test tomorrow.

ESL Pals 4 Grammar Worksheet

 DIALOGUES
Use the idioms to complete the dialogues, you may need to change the verb tense.

Beginner's luck. Lucky break. Luck of the draw.

A blessing in disguise. Happy-go-lucky. Third time lucky.

Born under a lucky star. Cross one's fingers.

Dialogue 1:

Dialogue 2:

ESL Pals 5 Grammar Worksheet

Use the idioms to complete the dialogues, you may need to change the verb tense.

Beginner's luck. Lucky break. Luck of the draw.

A blessing in disguise. Happy-go-lucky. Third time lucky.

Born under a lucky star. Cross one's fingers.

Dialogue 3:

Dialogue 4:

Dialogue 5:

ESL Pals 6 Grammar Worksheet

Use the idioms to complete the dialogues, you may need to change the verb tense.

Beginner's luck. Lucky break. Luck of the draw.

A blessing in disguise. Happy-go-lucky. Third time lucky.

Born under a lucky star. Cross one's fingers.

Dialogue 6:

Dialogue 7:

Dialogue 8:

ESL Pals 7 Grammar Worksheet

 IDIOMS QUESTIONS
Answer the questions below, each of the questions uses an idiom.

1. Have you ever experienced beginner's luck in a new activity or hobby? What was it
and how did you feel about it?

2. Have you ever had a lucky break that changed the course of your life or career?
What was it and how did it happen?

3. Have you ever won something by the luck of the draw? What was it and how did
you react to winning?

4. Have you ever experienced a situation that seemed bad at first but turned out to be
a blessing in disguise? What was it and how did you come to realise it?

5. Are you someone who is generally happy-go-lucky? What qualities do you think
are necessary to have this type of attitude?

ESL Pals 8 Grammar Worksheet

 6. Do you believe that some people are born under a lucky star? Why or why not?

7. In your country do people cross their fingers for good luck? Describe other
superstitious gestures that people have in your country.

8. Do you think that failure is necessary for eventual success, as the saying “third time
lucky implies”? Why or why not?

9. Describe a time you crossed your fingers for good luck before doing something.

ESL Pals 9 Grammar Worksheet

 10. How much do you think luck has to do with success and achievement? Do you
believe that some people are simply born under a lucky star?

11. If you could try any new activity or hobby and be guaranteed beginner's luck, what
would you choose and why?

12. Do you think it's important to have a happy-go-lucky attitude to be successful in

life? Why or why not?

13. Can you think of any historical events that turned out to be a blessing in disguise?
How about in your personal life?

14. If you could try any new activity or hobby and be guaranteed beginner's luck, what
would you choose and why?

ESL Pals 10 Grammar Worksheet

 NATHAN’S A LUCKY BOY
Read the story below, then complete the exercises.

Nathan was a happy-go-lucky guy who always had a positive attitude towards life.
Despite facing several failures in his life, he never lost hope and believed in his luck. One
day, he decided to participate in a poker tournament at a nearby casino. He was a
beginner and had never played poker before, but he thought he might have some
beginner's luck.

As he sat at the table, he nervously waited for his turn. When the cards were dealt,
Nathan was surprised to find that he had been dealt a royal flush. He couldn't believe his
luck and won the game on his very first attempt. It was indeed a lucky break for him.

Feeling lucky, Nathan decided to try his luck again at the casino. This time he played the
slot machine and won a jackpot. He felt as if he was born under a lucky star.

Thinking he was on a roll, Nathan decided to buy a lottery ticket on his way back home.
As he waited for the results, he crossed his fingers and hoped for the best. The results
were out, and Nathan was disappointed to find out that he didn't win anything. But he
didn't lose hope and decided to try again, hoping that he would be third time lucky.

A few days later, Nathan got a call from the lottery officials. They informed him that he
had won a trip to Hawaii as a part of a second chance draw. Nathan couldn't believe it.
He realised that not winning the lottery was a blessing in disguise as he got a chance to
go to Hawaii, a place he always wanted to visit.

Nathan learned that luck of the draw and being born under a lucky star can play a role in
life, but it's important to keep a positive attitude and never lose hope, even when things
don't go as planned.

Task 2: Complete the following exercises based on the text.

1. Identify the idioms in the text.

2. Identify the tense the idioms are used in.
3. Retell the story to a classmate.
4. Predict what will happen next.

ESL Pals 11 Grammar Worksheet

HOMEWORK
IDIOMS: WRITING TASK
Follow the guidelines to write a story using the idioms presented in the class.

Guidelines

1. Write a short story (500-800 words) that incorporates some or all of the
following idioms:
a. beginner's luck.
b. lucky break.
c. luck of the draw.
d. a blessing in disguise.
e. happy-go-lucky.
f. third time lucky.
g. born under a lucky star.
h. cross one's fingers.

2. The story can be set in any time period and location, but it should have a clear
beginning, middle, and end.

3. In your story, be sure to clearly show how each of the idioms is used and what it
means. You can do this by including dialogue or descriptive passages that
highlight the idioms in action.

4. Make sure that your writing is clear and concise, and that your story flows
smoothly from beginning to end.

5. Be creative and have fun with this writing task!

6. Once you have completed your story, read it over and make any necessary
revisions to improve it. Then share it with your teacher for feedback.

ESL Pals 12 Grammar Worksheet