give (someone) a break
idiom
: to stop treating (someone) in a strict or harsh way
Don't criticize him so much. He's doing the best he can. Why don't you give him a break?
Examples of give (someone) a break in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Being able to give a break to Davis and James (17 points on seven-for-13 shooting plus 11 assists) was a victory within a victory in Reaves’ mind.
—
Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2023
Florida lawmakers Wednesday approved spending more than $1.25 billion to help homeowners and communities ravaged by hurricanes and to give a break to motorists who frequently use toll roads.
—Jim Turner, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Dec. 2022
As a result, Paramore placed a hard limit on the tour in support of After Laughter and decided to give a break a try.
—Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2022
But raising the ceiling on the federal income-tax deduction for state and local taxes to give a break to higher-income people in high-tax states to bring along the votes of centrist Democratic congressmen from those high-tax states--I'm not for that.
—John Brummett, Arkansas Online, 23 Nov. 2021
Wolf, a lead researcher on the study, says that those rituals give a break from the stresses of the day to both child and caregiver.
—Hannah Reyes Morales, National Geographic, 18 Nov. 2020
Lightweight collapsible pots prevent whales from pirating pricey black cod from longline hooks and give a break to small boats.
—Anchorage Daily News, 22 Oct. 2020
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.
Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2023
Florida lawmakers Wednesday approved spending more than $1.25 billion to help homeowners and communities ravaged by hurricanes and to give a break to motorists who frequently use toll roads.
—Jim Turner, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Dec. 2022
As a result, Paramore placed a hard limit on the tour in support of After Laughter and decided to give a break a try.
—Starr Bowenbank, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2022
But raising the ceiling on the federal income-tax deduction for state and local taxes to give a break to higher-income people in high-tax states to bring along the votes of centrist Democratic congressmen from those high-tax states--I'm not for that.
—John Brummett, Arkansas Online, 23 Nov. 2021
Wolf, a lead researcher on the study, says that those rituals give a break from the stresses of the day to both child and caregiver.
—Hannah Reyes Morales, National Geographic, 18 Nov. 2020
Lightweight collapsible pots prevent whales from pirating pricey black cod from longline hooks and give a break to small boats.
—Anchorage Daily News, 22 Oct. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Give (someone) a break.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20%28someone%29%20a%20break. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share