Good luck at work vs Good luck in work

[Sneymarin]

Hello, I would like some help with the following dialogue between two people that I read in a chat. I didn't write it.

A: Ok, I have to get ready for work
B: Good luck in work. Don't get yourself fired.

My question is: Can "in" be used in this case or is it even correct to be used here? Or should it be "at/with" instead? I would also like to hear as to why it's correct/incorrect.

Thank you for your time

 

[tedmc]

I would say "good luck at work/with your work". With prepositions, it is hard to explain why.

 

[Sneymarin]

I would say "good luck at work/with your work". With prepositions, it is hard to explain why.

Is "in work" incorrect in this case?

 

[Rover_KE]

Yes.

 

[jutfrank]

I would also like to hear as to why it's correct/incorrect.

I'm not sure what level of explanation you require. The appropriate phrase is at work, and that's all you really need to know.

 

[emsr2d2]

In BrE, "in work" means "employed".

Are you in work? = Are you employed? = Do you have a job?
Are you at work? = Are you currently located at the place where you work?

 

[Sneymarin]

I'm not sure what level of explanation you require. The appropriate phrase is at work, and that's all you really need to know.

I tried to correct the author of that sentence, saying that it should be "at work/with work" instead, but he got irritated because he "hates when people correct him when his sentence was fine in the first place" and claimed that both mean the same and are fine in that context when asked by a learner if there was any difference between the two. Given the fact that it's my word againts a native's word, no one bought my words. I thought there would be a way to somehow explain that it should be "at work" without redirecting them to this thread.

 

[jutfrank]

It's probably for the best that you stop trying to correct him, then.