a stroke of luck
Meaning: A sudden, unexpected piece of good fortune.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Finding a parking spot right outside was a stroke of luck.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: A "stroke" is a single sudden event, as in a stroke of lightning. The phrase is common from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Japanese: 棚から牡丹餅 (Tana kara botamochi) — literally: A sweet rice cake from the shelf
- Korean: 호박이 넝쿨째 굴러 들어왔다 (Hobagi neongkuljjae gulleo deureowatda) — literally: A pumpkin rolled in, vine and all
More idioms — Daily Life
- if at first you don't succeed, try, try again — Keep trying after failure.
- look before you leap — Think carefully before acting.
- love is blind — People in love do not see the faults of the one they love.
- word gets around — News and rumors spread quickly from person to person.
- Rome wasn't built in a day — Important things take time.
- better late than never — It is better to do something late than not at all.
More English idioms
- like chalk and cheese — Completely different, though perhaps similar at first glance.
- blush to the roots of one's hair — To go very red with embarrassment.
- not see beyond the end of one's nose — To have a narrow outlook and ignore anything beyond one's immediate concerns.
- shut the stable door after the horse has bolted — To take precautions only after the harm is done.
- many hands make light work — A job is easier when many people share it.
- kick the cat — To take out one's anger on someone weaker or innocent.