bad luck

idiom

used in speech to show sympathy for someone who has failed or has been disappointed
"I didn't get the job." "Bad luck!"

Examples of bad luck in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The result is not just suboptimal leadership, but a system that repeatedly selects for the wrong traits, then acts surprised or blames someone else, including bad luck, when outcomes disappoint. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026 There’s been an element of bad luck for the Rangers, who had a pair of top-two picks in Kakko and Lafrenière fail to hit their ceilings. Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026 Rough game for fellow tight end Austin Hooper, however, who had issues run-blocking and bad luck on Maye's overthrow to the end zone that would have been a touchdown. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2026 Solomon’s Knot served as a symbol of protection against bad luck, implying the floor held a function beyond mere decoration, though this has yet to be confirmed. Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bad luck

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bad luck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bad%20luck. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!