thank one's lucky stars
To be grateful, feel oneself fortunate, consider oneself lucky (especially in avoiding some calamity).
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I thank my lucky stars that I found my lost keys.”
“He thanks his lucky stars for his supportive family.”
“They thank their lucky stars that the storm missed their house.”
“After the car skidded on the ice but stopped safely, I thanked my lucky stars.”
“You should thank your lucky stars that the manager decided to give you a second chance after that mistake.”
“We thanked our lucky stars when the rain stopped just as we began walking to the outdoor wedding.”
“I thank my lucky stars that I backed up my computer files right before the hard drive crashed and I lost everything.”
“She thanked her lucky stars that she had missed the train, which was later involved in a serious accident.”
The expression arises from the astrological conviction that the alignment of the stars determines the quality of one's fortune. It reflects a traditional reliance on celestial positioning to account for favourable outcomes, suggesting that a lack of misfortune is a matter of astronomical arrangement rather than personal agency.
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026