catch/capture lightning in a bottle
idiom
chiefly US
: to succeed in a way that is very lucky or unlikely
He caught lightning in a bottle with the success of his very first book.
Examples of catch/capture lightning in a bottle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But for many aspiring writers, crafting authentic and engaging dialogue can feel like trying to capture lightning in a bottle.
—
Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2024
Or should Reid dress Toney for the game and use him strategically to try to catch lightning in a bottle again, but risk another major gaffe or drop or more distractions steering the Chiefs’ train off the tracks?
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2024
Mike Schaller Temple City :: In an effort to catch lightning in a bottle, Steve Ballmer has approved a trade for James Harden that is reminiscent of Arte Moreno’s signing of Albert Pujols.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2023
Four receivers isn’t enough for an NFL team on Sundays, and the decision comes after an offseason where Indianapolis stockpiled low-cost receivers with some level of experience, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with one.
—The Indianapolis Star, 29 Aug. 2023
For Theroux, a feature-length documentary film is the opposite of that, a way to capture lightning in a bottle, and to freeze the star in time.
—Simran Hans, Variety, 13 Jan. 2023
Finding another Joe Burrow or Ja’Marr Chase is nearly impossible, but some teams are in better shape than others to capture lightning in a bottle the way Cincinnati did.
—C.j. Doon, baltimoresun.com, 16 Feb. 2022
But there's probably enough talent here to catch lightning in a bottle for one season ... at least in 2023. 5.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2023
Newcomer Baker Mayfield will try to catch lightning in a bottle twice when his Los Angeles Rams (4-9) travel to Wisconsin for a game against Aaron Rodgers' Green Bay Packers (5-8).
—Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2024
Or should Reid dress Toney for the game and use him strategically to try to catch lightning in a bottle again, but risk another major gaffe or drop or more distractions steering the Chiefs’ train off the tracks?
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2024
Mike Schaller Temple City :: In an effort to catch lightning in a bottle, Steve Ballmer has approved a trade for James Harden that is reminiscent of Arte Moreno’s signing of Albert Pujols.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2023
Four receivers isn’t enough for an NFL team on Sundays, and the decision comes after an offseason where Indianapolis stockpiled low-cost receivers with some level of experience, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with one.
—The Indianapolis Star, 29 Aug. 2023
For Theroux, a feature-length documentary film is the opposite of that, a way to capture lightning in a bottle, and to freeze the star in time.
—Simran Hans, Variety, 13 Jan. 2023
Finding another Joe Burrow or Ja’Marr Chase is nearly impossible, but some teams are in better shape than others to capture lightning in a bottle the way Cincinnati did.
—C.j. Doon, baltimoresun.com, 16 Feb. 2022
But there's probably enough talent here to catch lightning in a bottle for one season ... at least in 2023. 5.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2023
Newcomer Baker Mayfield will try to catch lightning in a bottle twice when his Los Angeles Rams (4-9) travel to Wisconsin for a game against Aaron Rodgers' Green Bay Packers (5-8).
—Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2022
Dictionary Entries Near catch/capture lightning in a bottle
Cite this Entry
“Catch/capture lightning in a bottle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catch%2Fcapture%20lightning%20in%20a%20bottle. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share