jackpot

Everyday

1. A jackpot is the biggest prize in a game, lottery or competition, often a large amount of money. tree →
2. (informal) To hit the jackpot is to have great luck or success, or find exactly what you wanted. tree →

In the lessons

In money talk and adult life, jackpots are won in lotteries and gambling; in maths lessons about chance, pupils learn that the probability of winning a jackpot is very small. In everyday talk, «we hit the jackpot» means great luck. Phrases: «hit the jackpot», «win the jackpot», «a rollover jackpot».

Examples

• She won the lottery jackpot and gave money to charity. tree →
• The jackpot this week is a million pounds. tree →
• We hit the jackpot at the car boot sale: a whole box of comics for a pound. tree →
• The fruit machine paid out the jackpot. tree →
• The chance of winning the jackpot is tiny. tree →
• When the jackpot isn't won, it rolls over to the next game. tree →

Note

One word: jackpot. Maths note: the chance of winning a big lottery jackpot can be less than one in millions, so most players lose money. Gambling is for adults only and can become a serious problem.