E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Luck.
Accidental good fortune. (Dutch, luk; German, glück, verb glücken, to succeed, to prosper.)
1
Down on one’s luck. Short of cash and credit. “Not in luck’s way,” not unexpectedly promoted, enriched, or otherwise benefited.
2
Give a man luck and throw him into the sea. Meaning that his luck will save him even in the greatest extremity. Referring to Jonah and Ari’on, who were cast into the sea, but carried safely to land, the one by a whale and the other by a dolphin.
