“Good luck!” is one of the most common things we say before exams, interviews, matches and big life changes. It is kind and quick — but it can also feel like an automatic reply when we say it to everyone.
A more thoughtful wish shows you care about the person and the moment. Some phrases focus on confidence, others on effort, and some simply add fun. Choosing the right one makes your support feel genuine.
Below are 15+ alternatives to “good luck”, with meanings, usage notes, quick tips and four examples each — for friends, family, colleagues and clients.
When Should You Use These Alternatives?
- Before exams, tests and interviews.
- When someone starts a new job, school or business.
- Ahead of sports matches, auditions and performances.
- When colleagues leave for new opportunities.
- Before medical procedures or big personal challenges.
- Avoid “break a leg” outside performance contexts if the person may not know the idiom.
- In serious situations, choose caring phrases over playful ones.
16+ Other ways to say “Good Luck”
1Best of luck
Meaning: A slightly more polished version of “good luck”.
Usage: Emails, cards and professional messages.
Tip: Works in both formal and casual settings.
Examples
- Best of luck with your exams!
- Best of luck in your new role.
- Best of luck with the move.
- We wish you the best of luck.
2Wishing you success
Meaning: A formal, positive wish.
Usage: Colleagues, clients and business partners.
Tip: Professional and sincere.
Examples
- Wishing you success in your new venture.
- Wishing you success at the conference.
- Wishing you every success in your career.
- Wishing you success with the launch.
3Break a leg
Meaning: A theatre idiom for good luck.
Usage: Actors, musicians and performers.
Tip: Use in performance contexts.
Examples
- Break a leg tonight!
- Break a leg at your recital.
- Break a leg — the audience will love you.
- First show? Break a leg!
4Fingers crossed
Meaning: Shows you hope for a good outcome.
Usage: Casual chats and texts.
Tip: Hopeful and friendly.
Examples
- Fingers crossed for your results!
- Fingers crossed the weather stays nice.
- Fingers crossed you get the flat.
- Interview today? Fingers crossed!
5You’ve got this
Meaning: Encourages confidence rather than luck.
Usage: Friends, family and teammates.
Tip: Shows belief in their abilities.
Examples
- You’ve got this — go get it!
- Big test today? You’ve got this.
- You’ve got this, champ.
- Stay calm. You’ve got this.
6Knock ’em dead
Meaning: Wishes an impressive performance.
Usage: Interviews, pitches and shows.
Tip: Informal and energetic.
Examples
- Knock ’em dead at the interview!
- Go knock ’em dead tonight.
- Knock ’em dead with your pitch.
- Big presentation? Knock ’em dead!
7All the best
Meaning: A warm, general wish for success.
Usage: Cards, emails and farewells.
Tip: Versatile and polite.
Examples
- All the best for your exams.
- All the best in your new job!
- All the best with the surgery tomorrow.
- All the best — keep in touch.
8Go get ’em
Meaning: A cheerful push to succeed.
Usage: Casual encouragement.
Tip: Short and lively.
Examples
- Go get ’em, tiger!
- It’s game day — go get ’em!
- Go get ’em at the tryouts.
- You’re ready. Go get ’em.
9May the odds be ever in your favour
Meaning: A fun movie reference wishing good luck.
Usage: Playful messages among friends.
Tip: Use with people who get the reference.
Examples
- Exams start today — may the odds be ever in your favour!
- May the odds be ever in your favour at the draw.
- Job hunting? May the odds be ever in your favour.
- Lottery night: may the odds be ever in your favour.
10I’m rooting for you
Meaning: Shows support and hope for success.
Usage: Friends, partners and family.
Tip: Personal and caring.
Examples
- I’m rooting for you all the way!
- The whole family is rooting for you.
- Good luck — I’m rooting for you.
- I’m rooting for you at the finals.
11Hope it goes well
Meaning: A simple, supportive wish.
Usage: Casual conversations and texts.
Tip: Neutral and kind.
Examples
- Hope it goes well today!
- Hope the interview goes well.
- Hope it goes well with your landlord.
- Hope it all goes well tomorrow.
12Sending positive vibes
Meaning: Shares good energy and support.
Usage: Texts, social media and friends.
Tip: Modern and friendly.
Examples
- Sending positive vibes your way!
- Sending positive vibes for your exam.
- Big day? Sending positive vibes.
- Sending positive vibes and a hug.
13Wishing you every success
Meaning: A formal and generous wish.
Usage: Business letters, farewell cards and speeches.
Tip: Elegant and professional.
Examples
- Wishing you every success in the future.
- We’re wishing you every success with the project.
- Wishing you every success in your studies.
- Wishing you every success as you retire.
14Blow them away
Meaning: Hopes someone will impress others greatly.
Usage: Performances, presentations and interviews.
Tip: Fun and confident.
Examples
- Go blow them away!
- Blow them away with your talent.
- You’re going to blow them away.
- Blow them away at the audition.
15Hope everything works out
Meaning: Expresses hope for a positive outcome in uncertain situations.
Usage: Personal challenges and decisions.
Tip: Gentle and empathetic.
Examples
- Hope everything works out with the visa.
- I really hope everything works out for you.
- Hope everything works out with your health.
- Hope everything works out at work.
16Good fortune be with you
Meaning: A poetic, old-fashioned wish.
Usage: Cards, creative writing and playful messages.
Tip: Use for a charming, traditional tone.
Examples
- Good fortune be with you on your journey.
- May good fortune be with you always.
- Good fortune be with you in the new year.
- Safe travels, and good fortune be with you.
Bonus: Short Good Luck Texts
- Crush it today! 💥
- Luck is for amateurs — you’ve got skills.
- Rooting for you from here 📣
- Go shine, superstar ✨
- Today is your day!
- Big hugs and good vibes 🍀
Final Writing Tips
- Match the phrase to the event — performance idioms for shows, formal wishes for work.
- Use confidence-based phrases when someone is well prepared.
- For uncertain situations, gentle phrases like “Hope everything works out” are kinder.
- Keep pop-culture references for friends who will get them.
- In professional emails, “Best of luck” and “Wishing you success” are safe choices.
- Follow up afterwards — asking how it went shows real care.
Need even more word ideas? Browse synonyms and related words for “good” in the Cambridge Dictionary, one of the most trusted English references.
More Ways to Say It
Looking for the right words for a different moment? These guides are a great next stop:
- Other ways to say “Good Job”
- Other ways to say “Good Morning”
- 🛠️ Search any phrase with our free Phrase Finder
Sarah writes Daily Fact Zone’s guides to professional phrasing: emails, workplace messages and polite alternatives that sound confident without sounding stiff.
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