catch/capture lightning in a bottle

phrase

chiefly US

: to succeed in a way that is very lucky or unlikely

He caught lightning in a bottle with the success of his very first book.

Examples of catch/capture lightning in a bottle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After all, this is the time to try to catch lightning in a bottle. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026

Set in 1976 in a recording studio in Sausalito (where the famed Record Plant was located), the play centers on a fictional, unnamed rock band that sets out to record their sophomore album, trying to capture lightning in a bottle a second time. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2025

Twenty-five years after the original, the four men once again seek to capture lightning in a bottle. — Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025

Maybe Eldridge will catch lightning in a bottle and take the National League by storm. — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025

Hoping to catch lightning in a bottle twice in a month, the New York Mets will give Jonah Tong his first major-league start Friday night. — Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

While the Royals would love to catch lightning in a bottle with Keuchel, the Storm Chasers need help with their rotation. — Pete Grathoff july 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2025

The Cubs are soon expected to add lefty reliever Drew Pomeranz to their active roster, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle after that minor trade with the Seattle Mariners. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025

Kraft, Davis and Strunk, like many owners before them, have fallen into the trap of trying to catch lightning in a bottle. — Mike Jones, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025