get a break—
1. take time off from an activity:
- It was hard for me because whenever I got a break from school, I had to leave and see my other parent.
2. (coll.) get a good deal in a transaction, etc.:
- Our customers usually expect to get a break when they buy in quantity.
3. (coll.) get an opportunity or special consideration:
- He talked about racism and about how hard it is to get a break when you are Black.
Cf.: get all the breaks—be fortunate; have luck:
- That fellow gets all the breaks! He’s been working here only six months, and he’s already been promoted to vice president!
have a break — = get a break 1:
- Finally, I told him I’d interview him over lunch, when he had a break.