give someone a break

verb

To stop harassing or demanding from someone.

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Meanings

verbgive someone a break (third-person singular simple present gives someone a break, present participle giving someone a break, simple past gave someone a break, past participle given someone a break)

present singular third person gives someone a break · participle present giving someone a break · past gave someone a break · participle past given someone a break

  1. idiomaticimperativeTo stop harassing or demanding from someone.

    “Oh, give me a break, sport. You want to pick my brain but you're not going ^([sic]) give me anything in return? What's up with that?”

    2003, Alecia Alexander, Everybody's a Critic, page 105
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: To allow someone a respite.
  3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: To provide someone with an opportunity for advancement.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
cut someone some slackease
Cite this entry
APA

give someone a break. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20someone%20a%20break

MLA

“give someone a break.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20someone%20a%20break. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “give someone a break,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/give%20someone%20a%20break.

Source: give someone a break on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.