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Difference between One’s lucky number comes up and One’s number comes up

one’s lucky number comes up—said of smb. who is lucky or has good fortune:

  • My lucky number finally came up when I was chosen to go to Los Angeles to represent our company at the conference.

one’s number comes up—(also: one’s number is up)

1. one’s turn for an interview, a haircut, etc. arrives:

  • When my number came up, I was served cheerfully and taken care of in less than ten minutes.

2. = one’s lucky number comes up:

  • Bingo thinks his number has come up now he’s found a great new home in England!

3. said of smth. very bad happening to a person (be punished, dismissed, etc.):

  • I was shocked today to hear of his death. Guess his number finally came up though…