catch a break
idiom
US
: to have some good luck
I just can't seem to catch a break.
If we can catch a break with the goalkeeping, we might just win the championship.
Examples of catch a break in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After a season full of high-stakes legal battles, personal heartbreak, and a near-life sentence for her best friend, Jax Stewart is finally trying to catch a break.
—
Essence, 6 July 2025
The iPhone maker seemingly hasn’t been able to catch a break this year — there are multiple legal threats to key revenue streams alongside Trump’s tariffs and direct attacks on the company.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 8 June 2025
His driver – a standout Jeffrey Wright – is an ex-con who can’t catch a break when the police get involved.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
Instead, with international travel to the United States already plunging — especially absent are the angry Canadians — amid rancor over President Donald Trump’s trade wars, L.A. hotels can’t catch a break.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch a break
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Essence, 6 July 2025
The iPhone maker seemingly hasn’t been able to catch a break this year — there are multiple legal threats to key revenue streams alongside Trump’s tariffs and direct attacks on the company.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 8 June 2025
His driver – a standout Jeffrey Wright – is an ex-con who can’t catch a break when the police get involved.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
Instead, with international travel to the United States already plunging — especially absent are the angry Canadians — amid rancor over President Donald Trump’s trade wars, L.A. hotels can’t catch a break.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch a break
Cite this Entry
“Catch a break.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catch%20a%20break. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share