# give someone a break

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/give-someone-a-break
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To stop harassing or demanding from someone.

## Examples

- Please give me a break, I am trying my best.
- The teacher decided to give the student a break because he had been studying all night.
- Although the manager was frustrated by the missed deadline, he chose to give his employee a break, recognizing the immense pressure of the recent project.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.