out of luck

Idioms and Phrases

Having bad fortune, experiencing a misfortune, as in You're out of luck if you want a copy; we just sold the last one . This expression, first recorded in 1867, assumes that good fortune is a finite quantity that one can run out of. However, it generally applies to more temporary circumstances than being down on one's luck .

Example Sentences

“If you were a woman who didn’t want to dress that way, you were kind of out of luck.”

From Los Angeles Times

It is also a blue moon but those hoping to see a bluish shade to the satellite are out of luck.

From BBC

Unless you automatically backed up all your Instagram Stories to your phone’s camera roll, you were out of luck.

From Slate

“If it’s stolen, you’re out of luck,” he said.

From Salon

Unless fans arrived at the stadium early, they were out of luck.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adverse
• damaging
• deplorable
• disastrous
• inappropriate
• inauspicious
• lamentable
• regrettable
• unlucky
• untoward