Third time’s a charm

Meaning

"Third time's a charm" is an idiom that means that the third attempt to do something will be successful, or that good luck will come on the third try. The phrase can also imply that the first two attempts were not successful, but the third one will bring success.

Usage

• After failing twice to pass her driving test, Emma was determined to succeed on the third attempt and finally got her license.
• John tried to impress his boss with his presentation skills during the company meeting, but he fell short on the first two tries. However, he nailed it on the third attempt and received a promotion.
• The couple had been trying to conceive for years without success, but on their third try at IVF, they were finally able to welcome a child into their family.
• After experiencing two disappointing romantic relationships, Sarah was hesitant to get involved with anyone again. But when she met her current partner during her third blind date, she knew she had found the right one.
• The company had tried to launch a new product line twice before, but both attempts failed due to poor market demand. However, on their third try, they developed a product that met consumer needs and became a huge success.

Roots and History

The idiom "third time's a charm" dates back to the 16th century and was first used in print by William Shakespeare in his play As You Like It. In his play, he wrote, "The third time thou wilt ask him, he shall say 'yes.'" This phrase likely refers to the idea of persistence or determination, as if trying something three times will make it more successful than doing it twice. Over time, the idiom has evolved to mean that good luck will come on the third attempt, regardless of whether the first two attempts were successful or not.

Synonyms in English

• "the third time's the charm,"
• "third time lucky,"
• "three's a charm."

Synonyms in other languages

• In Spanish, "tercer intento es el encanto," which translates to "The third try is the enchantment."
• In French, "le troisième coup est le charme," which means "The third blow is the charm."
• In Italian, "la terza tentativa è la grazia," which translates to "The third attempt is grace."

Similar Idioms

• tie the knot

• turn a deaf ear

• to a T