Lightning struck twice ⚡⚡

Meaning

An unlikely or remarkable event happening again to the same person or in the same place.

Origin

Imagine the sheer terror of a lightning strike. It's a sudden, violent, and terrifying force of nature. The phrase "lightning never strikes twice" emerged from this primal fear, suggesting that such a catastrophic event would surely be a one-off, a unique anomaly. It became a comforting idiom, a hope that extreme misfortune wouldn't befall someone again. However, the reality is, of course, that lightning can and does strike the same place multiple times. This literal truth slowly flipped the original sentiment. Now, when we say "lightning struck twice," we're acknowledging the astonishing, almost unbelievable coincidence of something rare and impactful happening again, much to our surprise.

🍀 luck ☠️ risk 😮 surprise

Lightning struck twice represented with emoji⚡⚡

This playful arrangement of double lightning bolts not just visually represents a striking event, but also functions as a delightful nudge, underscoring the serendipity of remarkable occurrences. It invites us to ponder the delightful echoes of the extraordinary, a whimsical reminder that sometimes, the universe does indeed strike twice.

Examples

  • It's hard to believe he won the lottery again; lightning struck twice for him this year.
  • She found another rare coin in the same old vending machine; it seems lightning struck twice in that very spot.
  • My cat managed to knock over the same vase for the third time this week, it's like lightning struck twice in my living room.
  • First my toast landed butter-side down, and then my lucky sock vanished into the dryer—lightning struck twice today, didn't it?

Frequently asked questions

Is 'lightning struck twice' a literal or figurative expression?

It is primarily used figuratively to describe a highly improbable, remarkable recurrence of an event. While lightning can literally strike the same place multiple times, when we say 'lightning struck twice,' we're using it to express astonishment at another unlikely occurrence.

What's the opposite sentiment of 'lightning struck twice'?

The opposite sentiment is captured by the older, more common cliché 'lightning never strikes twice,' which implies that a terrible event is unlikely to happen again. The phrase 'lightning struck twice' acknowledges the surprising reality that such negative or highly improbable events *can* indeed repeat.

Who is credited with coining the phrase 'lightning struck twice'?

No single individual is credited with coining the figurative phrase 'lightning struck twice.' The expression evolved from the older, more literal belief that lightning never strikes the same place twice, gradually shifting to describe the astonishing repetition of unlikely events.

Can lightning actually strike the same place twice?

Yes, lightning can and frequently does strike the same place multiple times, especially tall or isolated structures like the Empire State Building. The common saying 'lightning never strikes twice' is a myth, and this factual observation influenced the idiomatic meaning of 'lightning struck twice' to denote a surprisingly repeated event.

Similar to "lightning struck twice"

Deuce in the deck
Both phrases capture the rarity of a second occurrence, but 'deuce in the deck' sounds like a gambler's savvy observation, suggesting a hidden pattern or a lucky break rather than pure chance
History repeats itself
This phrase acknowledges a recurrence like 'lightning struck twice,' but it often implies a broader, more predictable societal or political pattern, whereas lightning points to a singular, often personal, event
A second bite at the apple
Both speak to a chance for repetition, but this idiom carries a sense of opportunity for redemption or a renewed try, a more deliberate and hopeful take than the unpredictable strike of lightning

Opposite of "lightning struck twice"

Once in a blue moon
This argues for extreme singularity, suggesting that the event was so rare it's unlikely to happen again, directly countering the idea of a repeat performance inherent in 'lightning struck twice'
Never the same river twice
This phrase posits that change is constant, so a perfect repetition is impossible, offering a philosophical counterpoint that emphasizes flux over fateful recurrence
A flash in the pan
This argues that the initial event was a brief, unrepeatable burst of excitement or success, directly opposing the implication of sustained impact or the possibility of a second strike that 'lightning struck twice' suggests

Related to "lightning struck twice"

Murphy's Law
'Lightning struck twice' often falls under the umbrella of Murphy's Law, as both idioms deal with the ironic, often negative, twists of fate that seem to defy probability
The stars aligned
While 'lightning struck twice' implies a rare event recurring, 'the stars aligned' speaks to the perfect confluence of fortunate circumstances that led to a singular, remarkable outcome
Riding the wave
This idiom is about capitalizing on a moment of success or good fortune, a concept that might follow a person who has experienced something as improbable as lightning striking twice
A statistical anomaly
This phrase provides a more scientific lens for the unlikelihood implied by 'lightning struck twice,' framing the repeated event as a deviation from expected probability