【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.