Success is often reflected in the language we use. Understanding idioms and phrasal verbs related to success can enrich your communication skills and help you convey achievements more effectively. Here are 20 expressions that capture various aspects of success, each with a brief meaning and an example sentence.
1. Break new ground
Meaning: Do something innovative.
Example: Our company broke new ground with this technology.
2. Hit the jackpot
Meaning: Achieve great success.
Example: She hit the jackpot with her latest invention.
3. Strike gold
Meaning: Find success unexpectedly.
Example: They struck gold with their new app.
4. Come up trumps
Meaning: Succeed unexpectedly well.
Example: He came up trumps in the final exam.
5. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Make extra effort.
Example: She always goes the extra mile for her clients.
6. Rise to the occasion
Meaning: Perform well in challenging situations.
Example: He rose to the occasion during the crisis.
7. Make the grade
Meaning: Meet a required standard.
Example: She finally made the grade after years of effort.
8. Pass with flying colors
Meaning: Achieve outstanding success.
Example: He passed his exam with flying colors.
9. Ace something
Meaning: Do something very well.
Example: She aced the job interview.
10. Hit the ground running
Meaning: Start something successfully and with energy.
Example: The new CEO hit the ground running.
11. Pull off something
Meaning: Succeed in doing something difficult.
Example: He pulled off the biggest deal of his career.
12. Carry the day
Meaning: Win or succeed.
Example: Her persuasive speech carried the day.
13. Turn the corner
Meaning: Begin to improve after a difficult period.
Example: The company turned the corner after restructuring.
14. Knock it out of the park
Meaning: Do something exceptionally well.
Example: She knocked it out of the park with her presentation.
15. Nail something
Meaning: Perform perfectly.
Example: He nailed the performance and got the lead role.
16. Get ahead
Meaning: Make progress or succeed.
Example: She worked hard to get ahead in her career.
17. Make a killing
Meaning: Earn a lot of money quickly.
Example: They made a killing with their new product.
18. Come into one’s own
Meaning: Become very successful.
Example: She came into her own as a leader.
19. Have the Midas touch
Meaning: Be successful in everything.
Example: He seems to have the Midas touch in business.
20. Land on one’s feet
Meaning: Succeed despite difficulties.
Example: She always lands on her feet no matter what.
