Idiom of the Week - Break!

It is time to continue our idiom series, now with common expressions including “break”!
So take a break and learn!

to break even: to have neither profit nor a loss
E.g.      Start-up companies are lucky if they break even during the first year.
            Unfortunately, many books published today do not sell enough copies to break even.

to (not) break the bank: (not) to spend too much money on something
E.g.      Having a summer vacation without breaking the bank is a dream for many people.
            These shoes only costs $2. That's not going to break the bank.


to break the news: to give someone (unpleasant) news
E.g.      I am sorry to break the news but the other applicants were more qualified and we decided to hire someone else.
           Susie did not know how to break the news about her pregnancy to his parents.
      
make or break: result in significant success or failure
E.g.      The candidates attitude can make or break the interview.
            The food critic’s opinion could make or break a restaurant’s reputation.

give someone a break: stop putting pressure on someone about something; when used with “me” – to be skeptical about something
E.g.      Give that poor man a break. He is trying very hard to succeed in his job.
Give me a break! I don’t believe a word you say.

reach a breaking point: to reach the limit of physical or emotional endurance
E.g.      Sam finally reached his breaking point and quit his job with the abusive boss.
            The political crisis reached its breaking point, third-party negotiations must begin now.

breakthrough: important step, sudden development
E.g.      This new tool enables researchers to make breakthrough discoveries quicker and easier than ever before.
            This could be the biggest breakthrough in H.I.V. treatment of our generation.

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