# them's the breaks

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/thems-the-breaks
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- I lost the game, but them's the breaks.
- The train was cancelled and I missed my meeting, but I suppose them's the breaks.
- Although he had worked tirelessly for the promotion, the position went to another candidate, and he simply accepted that them's the breaks.

## Origin

From the noun *break*, used in the sense of a stroke of luck or a particular turn of fortune. The expression is related to parallel constructions such as *tough break* and *lucky break*, appearing in American English to acknowledge the immutable nature of an unfavourable outcome.

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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.