# physical break

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/physical-break
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A short break in a meeting or in a classroom setting, intended to improve attention by giving people a chance to move around.

## Examples

- We need a quick physical break to stretch our legs.
- The teacher noticed the students losing focus, so she called for a five-minute physical break.
- Recognizing that the long afternoon session had exhausted the participants, the facilitator wisely scheduled a brief physical break to restore their energy and concentration.

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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.