as luck would have it

Thân thiện

As luck would have it, the sun came out just as the picnic began.

Definition

Adverb: By chance or fortune; used to indicate that something happened due to luck, whether good or bad. It often introduces a coincidental or fortuitous event.

Usage

This phrase is used to comment on a situation that occurred by chance. While it can describe both fortunate and unfortunate events, it is most commonly used for positive, lucky outcomes. It typically appears at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence to set up the coincidental event.

Examples

• As luck would have it, I found my lost keys just as I was about to give up.
• I arrived at the station late, but as luck would have it, the train was also delayed.
• We needed one more player for the team, and as luck would have it, my cousin was visiting that day.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can sometimes be used ironically to describe an coincidence, though this is less common. The tone of voice or context clarifies the meaning.
  • I decided to wash my car, and as luck would have it, it started to rain an hour later.

Variants and Related Words

• Fortunately (adv.): By good luck. (A more direct synonym for the positive use).
• Unfortunately (adv.): By bad luck; unluckily. (An antonym for the negative use).
• As it happens (phrase): Used to introduce a coincidental fact, neutral in tone.
• By chance (phrase): Without planning; accidentally.

Synonyms

• Fortunately
• Luckily
• By a happy chance
• Providentially

Antonyms

• Unfortunately
• Unluckily
• Regrettably

Related Idioms

• As fate would have it: A similar phrase with a slightly more deterministic or destined connotation, suggesting events were meant to happen.
  • We grew up in different countries, but as fate would have it, we ended up working for the same company.

Học thuật

Adverb

1. by good fortune
   • fortunately the weather was good

Từ đồng nghĩa

• fortunately
• fortuitously
• luckily