Often conveys sarcasm or irony rather than genuine optimism about the outcome. You’ll be lucky to see him before midnight, considering his punctuality!
Pro Tip 2/3
Underestimation
Used to suggest someone is underestimating the difficulty of a task. Paint the whole house in one day? You’ll be lucky!
Pro Tip 3/3
Unlikely Hopes
Indicates that the speaker thinks someone's hopes or expectations are unlikely to happen. You’ll be lucky if you find that rare book at any local store.