Cool MateGood luck vs Wish me luck
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Good luck
Top 1,000 (very common)
Wish me luck
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Good luck
| Good luck | Wish me luck | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɡʊd lʌk//🇺🇸 //ɡʊd lʌk// | 🇬🇧 //wɪʃ miː lʌk//🇺🇸 //wɪʃ mi lʌk// |
| Meaning | I hope you succeed or have a good outcome. | Tell me to be fortunate or successful. |
| Example | I know you have a big presentation today, so good luck! | I have a big interview tomorrow; please wish me luck! |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | wish good luck, send good luck, give good luck | wish someone luck, wish me good luck, send good luck wishes |
| Antonyms | bad luck, misfortune, ill fortune, unluckiness | curse me, jinx me, ill will |
| Common mistakes | Used inappropriately in formal situations., Confused with 'good lucking' which is incorrect. | Using 'wish you luck' instead of 'wish me luck', Confusing with 'good luck' which is a different structure, Not using the phrase before a specific event |
| Usage notes | Commonly used to wish someone success. Suitable for various contexts but avoid in formal settings like job interviews. | Use this phrase when you want someone to succeed in a task or event. It's appropriate in both casual and formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Good luck vs Wish me luck
What's the difference between Good luck and Wish me luck?
Good luck: I hope you succeed or have a good outcome. Wish me luck: Tell me to be fortunate or successful.
Which is more common: Good luck and Wish me luck?
Good luck is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Good luck: I know you have a big presentation today, so good luck! Wish me luck: I have a big interview tomorrow; please wish me luck!
Can I use Good luck and Wish me luck interchangeably?
Not always. Good luck and Wish me luck are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.