ENGLISH
REFERENCE

them's the breaks

idiom
Meaning

That is the way things happen; that's life.


Origin

disputed origin

From break in the sense “stroke of luck” (compare tough break, lucky break).

Examples
SIMPLE

I lost the game, but them's the breaks.

CONTEXTUAL

The train was cancelled and I missed my meeting, but I suppose them's the breaks.

COMPLEX

Although he had worked tirelessly for the promotion, the position went to another candidate, and he simply accepted that them's the breaks.

Anchors to
Related idioms2entries
  1. 01

    all bedlam breaks loose

    The situation becomes chaotic or characterized by conflict or rage.

  2. 02

    all hell breaks loose

    The situation becomes chaotic or characterized by conflict or rage.

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