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Difference between “Best of British luck, the” and “Luck of the Irish, the”

best of British luck, the—(often shortened to “best of British”)

1. is used to wish a person very good luck:

  • Let me wish you the best of British luck. We know how testing the competition will be.

2. is used ironically, implying that the required luck may not materialize:

  • The chances of them winning are, let’s be honest, slim, but we wish them the best of British luck.

luck of the Irish, the

1. = best of British luck, the 1:

  • I have stumbled across this journal and your adventure and wish you the luck of the Irish in your pursuit.

2. extreme good luck or fortune:

  • Maybe it was the luck of the Irish that saved McFadden on that freezing December day.