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?

Dictionary Entries Near give (someone) a break

give/sacrifice one's life

give (someone) a break

give someone a buzz

See More Nearby Entries 

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 20 Mar. 2023.

Copy Citation

Share

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of kith

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Standardized Test Words

  • high school student holding a pencil leaning over a sat test
  • Despite the cacophony, the student tried to study.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games