Meaning & use
my lot in life
Last updated
UK/maɪ ˌlɒt ɪn ˈlaɪf/
US/maɪ ˌlɑːt ɪn ˈlaɪf/
Meaning
phraseidiom
The situation and circumstances that fate has given a person, especially their level of comfort, work or luck.
Grammar: The possessive varies: my, her, their lot in life.
Patterns
- accept your lot in life
- be unhappy with your lot in life
I have learned to accept my lot in life and still enjoy small things.
He refuses to stay content with his lot in life.
She felt her lot in life was to take care of everyone else.
Common combinations
- accept my lot in life
- I accepted my lot in life long ago.
- content with my lot in life
- She seemed content with her lot in life.
- improve my lot in life
- Education can improve your lot in life.
- complain about my lot in life
- He is tired of complaining about his lot in life.
- unhappy with my lot in life
- I am not unhappy with my lot in life.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fate
- Fate points to forces beyond control, but lot in life is about your actual circumstances.
- destiny
- Destiny sounds grander and looks forward, whereas lot in life is about what you currently have.
- station in life
- Station in life refers to social position and is older and more formal.
- circumstances
- Circumstances is neutral and does not suggest fate.
Word family
Commonly confused: my lot in life or a lot of?
my lot in life vs a lot of
A lot of means a large amount, and this lot is a separate noun meaning fate or portion.
Practice
Rather than dream of change, she decided to accept her ___ in life.
Choose one answer.
Lot in life is the fixed idiom. Bunch, deal and batch cannot replace lot in this phrase.
Make it your own
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