third time lucky

We use this expression to sound hopeful after two negative or unlucky experiences.

我们用这个短语表达在经历了两次消极或不幸的经历后第三次更有希望成功。

It seems likely that it is just a folk belief that we ought to persevere and not give up. Three seems to be the right number of times to try. Two isn't enough but four is too many. Think of every time you've seen a drama in which a character tries to unlock a door with an set of unfamiliar keys. The first key fails, the second key fails - it is always the third that works.

这可能是一种民间信仰，在经历了挫折之后，我们应该坚持下去，而不是放弃。3次似乎是正确的尝试次数。两个不够，四个太多了。想想每次你看到一个角色试图用一组不熟悉的钥匙打开一扇门的场景，第一个，第二个钥匙都会失败——总是第三个钥匙能打开。

A: I've taken my driving test twice before. I failed both times.

我已经参加了两次驾驶考试，两次都失败了。

B: Third time lucky.

事不过三。

A: I hope so.

希望吧。