“Catch lightning in a bottle twice” is an idiomatic expression that describes the act of achieving rare and extraordinary success, especially when attempting to replicate or surpass a previous achievement. It implies the difficulty of such a feat, as capturing lightning in a bottle is not only incredibly rare but also virtually impossible. This expression is often used to convey the notion of attempting something that is highly unlikely to be accomplished again.
In the context of being underdogs in a sports season, the phrase suggests that the team faces a significant challenge in achieving success. To “catch lightning in a bottle” in this scenario means that the team would need to accomplish something remarkable and unexpected, such as winning multiple games against strong opponents, overcoming significant obstacles, or delivering outstanding performances consistently.
Similarly, when referring to the network's attempt to reboot a popular series, “catching lightning in a bottle twice” emphasizes the difficulty of recreating the success and popularity of the original show. It implies that the network hopes to achieve the same level of success as the first iteration, even though it may be highly challenging and unlikely.
To better understand the phrase, let me provide some personal experiences. As a sommelier and brewer, I have encountered situations where I aimed to replicate or surpass a previous success. For example, there was a time when I created a unique and highly acclaimed wine blend. It received rave reviews and quickly became popular among wine enthusiasts. However, when I attempted to recreate the exact same blend, I realized that capturing lightning in a bottle twice was exceedingly difficult. Despite my efforts to replicate the process and ingredients precisely, the result was not as exceptional as the first time. This experience taught me that certain achievements cannot be easily duplicated and that success often involves a combination of skill, timing, and unpredictable factors that cannot be controlled.
“catching lightning in a bottle twice” signifies accomplishing something extraordinarily difficult and achieving rare success, particularly when attempting to replicate or surpass a previous achievement. It emphasizes the challenges and unlikelihood of achieving such success again.