Break a leg is a jovial way of wishing actors good luck before a performance, especially on opening night. It may come from a superstition that saying good luck is bad luck, or from other meanings of break a leg , such as bowing, curtsying, or impressing the audience. Definition of break a leg in the Idioms Dictionary. break a leg phrase. What does break a leg expression mean ? Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. "Break a leg " comes from the German saying "Hals und Beinbruch," which means break your neck and leg . This saying was a banter-style wish used among German aircrew throughout World War II. Competing Theory "Break a leg " means to give a performance so good that one of the side curtains (called "legs") will fail due to the number of encores. Break a leg meaning :"Good luck." Origin of it comes from theaters. Actors will say this to each other before the show to wish for good luck.
