Maya stood in line at the corner store, holding a lottery ticket she had bought on a whim.
“It’s a waste of money,” her roommate always said. “No one actually wins.”
But Maya didn’t care. For her, scratching those silver boxes felt like a mini adventure. Just a little hope for the price of a coffee.
Back in her apartment, she tossed her bag on the floor and sat by the window. As she scratched the ticket, her heart skipped a beat.
“Wait… that’s three stars,” she whispered. She checked again. “Is this for real?”
She grabbed her phone and googled the symbols. Her eyes widened.
“No way! I just hit the jackpot?!”
She screamed, jumped up, and did a happy dance around the room. Her cat stared at her like she’d lost her mind.
But Maya wasn’t dreaming. She had just won $250,000.
Still breathless, she called her best friend.
“You won what?! Stop pulling my leg!”
“I swear!” Maya laughed. “This is not a drill!”
They spent the next two hours on a video call, screaming, laughing, and planning imaginary vacations.
Later that night, as Maya lay in bed staring at the ceiling, she whispered, “This changes everything.”
But deep down, she promised herself: “I won’t let the money go to my head.”
Idioms Used in the Story
1. Hit the jackpot
Meaning:
To win big or have a sudden major success, often by luck.
Example 1: She hit the jackpot when she landed that job in Paris.
Example 2: I hit the jackpot with that investment—it tripled overnight!
2. On a whim
Meaning:
Spontaneously; without planning.
Example 1: She booked a trip to Italy on a whim.
Example 2: I bought that painting on a whim, and now it’s my favorite thing.
3. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning:
To joke or trick someone playfully.
Example 1: Are you serious or just pulling my leg?
Example 2: Don’t worry—he’s just pulling your leg.
4. This is not a drill
Meaning:
This is serious or real; not a practice or joke.
Example 1: Everyone stay calm—this is not a drill!
Example 2: When she said yes, I realized this wasn’t a drill—I was really getting married!
5. Go to one’s head
Meaning:
When success or praise makes someone arrogant.
Example 1: Don’t let the fame go to your head.
Example 2: He got a promotion, and it’s already gone to his head.
