棚たなぼた

noun

unexpected windfall; godsend; stroke of luck

Abbreviation of 棚から牡丹餅 (a botamochi falling from a shelf), referring to a sudden, unearned piece of good fortune. Casual and often used in everyday conversation.

See also: 棚からぼた餅

• 宝たからくじが当あたるなんて、まさに棚たなぼただ。

  Winning the lottery is a real windfall.

• 先せん輩ぱいが使つかわないパソコンをくれた。棚たなぼたでラッキー。

  My senior gave me a computer he wasn't using. What a lucky break!