27+ Other Ways to Say “Break a Leg” (110+ Examples)

We know that saying good luck is boring sometimes, so let us help you find better options. You want to cheer someone on before they go on stage, perform, or start a big job. These phrases show you care, and they help people relax before the pressure hits. Choose one that fits your friend, and watch them shine today.

“Break a Leg” for Theater Performers

Good Luck

Performers like this because it is simple, and it works for anyone. You can say it to a child, or your best friend, before the show starts. It brings a nice, calm energy to the room. Use this phrase when you want to be kind, or sweet, without any jokes. It tells the actor that you want them to do well.

• Good luck on your big play tonight.
• You practiced so hard, so good luck.
• Good luck, you are going to be great.
• Everyone sends good luck for your performance.

Go Get Them

Athletes and actors love this, because it sounds brave. You say it when someone has a tough job ahead, but you know they can win. It pushes the person, and it makes them feel strong. Use this when the person needs a boost, or a little bit of fire, to get moving. It sounds fun, and very active, for everyone involved.

• Go get them, you have the talent.
• The stage is yours, so go get them.
• Go get them, show the crowd your skills.
• You are ready, now go get them.

Kill It

Young people use this all the time, because it sounds cool. It means you want them to be so good, that the crowd loves it. Do not use this with your boss, or a grandparent, because it might sound weird. Save it for your friends, or teammates, who get the joke. It is a very fun way to cheer someone up fast.

• You will kill it on stage today.
• Just get out there and kill it.
• Go kill it, you are the best.
• She is going to kill it tonight.

Knock Them Dead

Classic, and very fun, this phrase is perfect for a big show. It makes people smile, because it is silly, yet kind at the same time. You can use it for a singer, a dancer, or a funny person. It implies that the audience will love the show, so much, they might faint. It works great for big, bold, and loud events.

• Go out there and knock them dead.
• I know you will knock them dead.
• Knock them dead, you have practiced well.
• They will knock them dead for sure.

Do Your Best

Teachers often say this, because it takes the pressure off the student. You do not need to be perfect, you just need to try. This works if the person is nervous, or worried, about making a mistake. It helps them focus on the work, instead of the fear. It is a sweet, honest way to give someone real, steady support.

• Just go out and do your best.
• Remember to always do your best today.
• You do your best, and have fun.
• I want you to do your best.

Shine Bright

Singers love this, because it sounds like a star on the stage. You can say it when someone looks good, or has a special gift. It makes the person feel seen, and very happy, before they walk out. Use this for a friend, or a loved one, who needs to believe in their own magic. It is a very warm, nice message.

• It is time for you to shine bright.
• You will shine bright on that stage.
• Go shine bright, you are a star.
• Shine bright, the lights are for you.

Own the Stage

Performers who are brave need to hear this, because it gives them power. You want them to feel like they are the boss, and the room belongs to them. It is a great way to build confidence before a show. Tell this to someone who is a little bit shy, or scared, to help them feel like a real hero.

• Own the stage, you have the talent.
• You are ready to own the stage.
• Just go and own the stage now.
• Own the stage, the crowd is yours.

Blow Them Away

Audience members want to see something cool, so tell your friend to blow them away. This phrase means you know they are better than the rest. It is a big compliment, and it makes the person feel proud. Use this when the show is very important, like a final test, or a huge event. It sounds very exciting and big.

• Go blow them away with your act.
• You will blow them away for sure.
• Blow them away, you are the best.
• It is time to blow them away.

Have a Blast

Fun times are the goal, so tell them to have a blast. This takes away all the stress, and puts the focus on having a good time. It works for any type of show, or party, where you want them to be happy. It is a very relaxed, and easy phrase, for friends who are just hanging out together.

• Have a blast on the stage today.
• I hope you have a blast tonight.
• Go out there and have a blast.
• Have a blast, you deserve the fun.

“Break a Leg” During Public Speaking

Best of Luck

Formal events need a polite touch, so this works very well. You can say it to a coworker, or a boss, before they speak. It sounds professional, and very nice, without being too loud. It is the safest way to show support. Use this when you do not know the person very well, but you want to be kind.

• Best of luck with your speech today.
• I wish you the best of luck.
• Best of luck, you are prepared well.
• Sending you the best of luck now.

You Will Be Great

Confidence is key, so tell them this to help them relax. It is a simple fact, and it sounds very true. You are telling them that you believe in them. This works for anyone, from a student to a leader. It is a very strong, and solid, way to calm someone down before they get on the stage.

• You will be great at the meeting.
• Don’t worry, you will be great today.
• Believe that you will be great soon.
• I know you will be great here.

Stay Focused

Sometimes people get messy in their head, so tell them to stay focused. It helps them keep their mind on the main goal. Use this when the task is hard, or long, and they might lose their way. It is a very helpful, and wise, thing to say to someone who has a lot of big work.

• Stay focused on your main points today.
• You can do it, just stay focused.
• Stay focused, you have all the facts.
• It helps to stay focused right now.

Speak Your Truth

Honesty matters, so tell them to speak their truth. This is great for a talk, or a debate, where they need to be real. It gives them permission to be themselves. Use this when you want them to sound brave, and sincere, while they talk to the crowd. It is a very deep, and powerful, kind of support.

• Just go out and speak your truth.
• It is time to speak your truth.
• Speak your truth, the room will listen.
• You should just speak your truth now.

Make an Impact

Leaders want to change things, so tell them to make an impact. This shows you think their words matter. Use this when they are giving a speech about something important, like a project, or a new idea. It encourages them to be bold, and strong, while they speak. It is a very inspiring, and big, way to help them.

• Go out and make an impact today.
• You will surely make an impact soon.
• Make an impact, your words matter now.
• It is time to make an impact.

You Got This

Short, and sweet, this is the best way to cheer for anyone. It says you believe they can do the job. You can use it for small things, or huge things. It feels like a pat on the back. Use this when someone is scared, or shaky, to give them some quick, and very easy, courage.

• You got this, just take a breath.
• I know you got this, go ahead.
• You got this, the crowd will listen.
• Go and win, you got this now.

Breathe Easy

Nerves are normal, so remind them to breathe easy. This helps them calm down, and find their rhythm again. Use this for a friend who is pacing, or acting worried, before their talk. It shows you care about their health, and their peace of mind. It is a very gentle, and caring, way to support them today.

• Just breathe easy and start the talk.
• You should breathe easy before you begin.
• Breathe easy, everything will go well now.
• Relax and breathe easy for a while.

“Break a Leg” for Sporting Events

Give It Your All

Hard work is needed for sports, so tell them to give it their all. This shows you want them to try their hardest. Use it for a game, a race, or a big match. It is a very honest way to support their effort. It tells the athlete that you will be proud, no matter the final result.

• You should give it your all today.
• Just go out and give it your all.
• Give it your all, play the game.
• They will give it their all soon.

Win the Game

Athletes want to win, so be direct and say win the game. This is simple, and it shows you are on their team. Use it when the game is close, or very important, to show your spirit. It is a very clear, and common, way to cheer for someone who is ready to run, or play, hard.

• Go out there and win the game.
• It is time to win the game.
• You can win the game, keep moving.
• Win the game, show them your power.

Play with Heart

Sports are about passion, so tell them to play with heart. This means you want them to care, and love the game. It is a very sweet way to talk to a team. Use this when the game is not just about winning, but about doing something special. It builds a very strong, and deep, team feeling.

• Just go out and play with heart.
• Remember to play with heart and soul.
• Play with heart, that is the way.
• You always play with heart and skill.

Keep Pushing

Hard matches require stamina, so tell them to keep pushing. This helps them stay strong, even when they get tired. Use this for a long game, or a tough race, to keep their energy up. It is a very practical, and helpful, phrase that tells them you are watching, and you see their hard work.

• Keep pushing until the very last second.
• You must keep pushing to win today.
• Keep pushing, you are almost there now.
• We want you to keep pushing hard.

Go for Gold

High goals are good, so tell them to go for gold. This means you want the very best result for them. It is exciting, and it sounds like a big dream. Use this for someone who is training, or competing, at a very high level. It makes them feel like a winner before they even start.

• You should go for gold this time.
• Go for gold, you have the speed.
• It is time to go for gold.
• Go for gold, the prize is yours.

Stay Fast

Speed is key in many sports, so tell them to stay fast. It is a quick reminder of what they need to do. Use this for runners, or swimmers, to help them focus on their pace. It is a short, and very direct, piece of advice that works well when you are in a big rush.

• Stay fast and leave them behind you.
• Just stay fast through the whole race.
• Stay fast, you have the best legs.
• You need to stay fast right now.

Have Fun

Playing is supposed to be fun, so remind them of that. This stops them from getting too serious, or stressed, about the score. Use this for kids, or friends, who play for joy. It is a very nice way to make sure they enjoy their day. It shows that you care about their happiness above all else.

• Just go out and have fun today.
• I hope you have fun on field.
• Have fun, that is the most important.
• You will have fun playing the game.

Run Hard

Simple tasks need simple words, so tell them to run hard. This is great for tracks, or fields, where speed matters. Use this when you want to keep it light, and very clear. It encourages them to use their energy, and focus, on the task at hand. It is a very common, and easy, thing to say.

• Run hard and beat the other team.
• You need to run hard right now.
• Run hard, show them your real speed.
• We know you can run hard today.

Be Strong

Body and mind need to be steady, so tell them to be strong. This works for any sport where you need to take hits, or move heavy things. It is a very solid way to show your support. Use this when the opponent is big, or the weather is tough, to give them some extra grit.

• You need to be strong today, friend.
• Be strong, you are a great athlete.
• I know you can be strong here.
• Be strong, the team needs you now.

Show Them

Prove your worth, and tell them to show them. This means you want the person to show everyone how good they are. Use this for a player who is new, or has something to prove. It is a very fun, and bold, way to make them feel like they are ready to show their true talent.

• Go out and show them your skills.
• Show them that you are the best.
• It is time to show them now.
• Show them, you have worked so hard.

“Break a Leg” for Academic Success

Do Great

Simple is best, so just tell them to do great. It is a kind way to wish them well on a test, or a paper. You can say it to anyone, anytime. It shows that you want the best for them without any fuss. It is a very easy, and very sweet, way to support their hard work.

• I know you will do great today.
• Go and do great on your exam.
• You are smart, so do great now.
• Just do great, I believe in you.

Ace It

Students like this, because it means getting a perfect score. It is a very fun, and casual, way to talk about school. Use this for a friend who studied a lot, and needs to do well. It sounds cool, and very modern, for anyone who is heading off to take a big, hard, and scary test.

• Go out there and ace it today.
• You studied hard, so just ace it.
• Ace it, you know all the facts.
• I hope you can ace it now.

Good Luck with That

Sometimes a task is really hard, so say good luck with that. It shows you know the work is tough. It is a nice way to admit the challenge. Use this for a friend who has a long night of study ahead of them. It is a very honest, and friendly, way to share their load.

• Good luck with that big project tonight.
• That sounds hard, good luck with that.
• You have a lot to do, good luck with that.
• It is tough, so good luck with that.

You Got This

Confidence is what they need, so remind them that they got this. It helps them stop worrying about the answers they do not know. Use this when they are looking at their books, or getting ready for the test. It is a very simple, and very fast, way to give them some needed peace.

• Don’t panic, because you got this today.
• You have done the work, you got this.
• You got this, the test is easy.
• I know you got this, just relax.

Study Hard

Academic goals take time, so tell them to study hard. It is a good reminder to stay on task. Use this when they have a few days to get ready. It shows you care about their success, and their future. It is a very helpful, and very sensible, thing to say to a busy student.

• Study hard, you will pass the test.
• You should study hard for the final.
• I know you will study hard now.
• Study hard, the grade will be yours.

Reach High

Big goals are important, so tell them to reach high. This encourages them to aim for the top. It is a very inspiring way to talk about their school work. Use this when they are picking a college, or starting a big paper. It helps them believe that they can do anything they really want to.

• Reach high and get that top grade.
• You should always reach high in life.
• Reach high, the sky is the limit.
• We want you to reach high today.

Final Thoughts

I hope these ideas help you cheer on your friends with confidence. There are so many ways to wish people well without repeating the same old words. Just pick the one that feels right for the person and the moment. You now have plenty of options to make someone smile today.