luck: [15] The antecedents of luck are not at all clear. Its likeliest source is Low German luk. This is clearly a close relative of modern Dutch geluk, whose prefix ge- is found also in Middle High German gelücke (source of modern German glück ‘good fortune, happiness’). But where the element lu(c)k came from is not known.
late 15c. from early Middle Dutch luc, shortening of gheluc "happiness, good fortune," of unknown origin. It has cognates in Dutch geluk, Middle High German g(e)lücke, German Glück "fortune, good luck." Perhaps first borrowed in English as a gambling term. To be down on (one's) luck is from 1832; to be in luck is from 1900; to push (one's) luck is from 1911. Good luck as a salutation to one setting off to do something is from 1805. Expression better luck next time attested from 1802.
A gentleman was lately walking through St Giles's, where a levelling citizen attempting to pick his pocket of a handkerchief, which the gentleman caught in time, and secured, observing to the fellow, that he had missed his aim, the latter, with perfect sang-froid, answered, "better luck next time master."Â [âMonthly Mirror,â London, 1802]
by 1945, from luck (n.). To luck out "succeed through luck" is American English colloquial, attested by 1946; to luck into (something good) is from 1944. However, lukken was a verb in Middle English (mid-15c.) meaning "to happen, chance;" also, "happen fortunately."
双语例句
1. Good luck is when an opportunity comes along and you're prepared for it.
好运就是当机会来临时，你早已做好了准备。
来自金山词霸 每日一句
2. He does deserve some good luck after so much wretchedness.
经过这么多苦难之后，他应该行点好运了。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Wood has not had much luck in carving out a career.
伍德想干出点名堂来，可是总不能如愿。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Was he born to be successful, or did he just luck out?
是他命中注定会成功，还是仅仅交了好运？
来自柯林斯例句
5. It would be just his luck to miss the last boat.
