What does the idiom "Break a leg" mean?

Answer 1

In theatre, it was considered bad luck to wish someone good luck before a performance. By telling them to "break a leg!", that was reversed- by wishing them bad luck, you would bring good luck. It has become a theatre tradition.

Answer 2

"Break a leg" is theatrical slang for "good luck."

Answer 3

According to stage actors, it means "good luck". Wishing faux ill to someone is a way to bid them good luck without jinxing them.

Telling an actor "break a leg" before a performance is a reference to a superstition that is tradition in the performing arts. It is considered bad form to wish luck to an actor pre-performance, much as it is considered bad luck to mention the name MacBeth in a theater (references are made instead to his "Scottish play"). Strangely, this superstition runs counter to another classic encouragement, the slang expression "knock 'em dead."

Answer 4

In theatre, it was considered bad luck to wish someone good luck before a performance. By telling them to "break a leg!", that was reversed- by wishing them bad luck, you would bring good luck. It has become a theatre tradition.