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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Catch a break

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To experience some good luck or get a fortunate opportunity.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. We finally caught a break when a larger room became available.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To experience some good luck or get a fortunate opportunity.
Show the answer

Catch a break — To experience some good luck or get a fortunate opportunity.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Catch a break” about your own life.

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Does your sentence match this meaning?

To experience some good luck or get a fortunate opportunity.

Compare: We finally caught a break when a larger room became available.

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it informally, especially in US English, when luck helps someone after difficulty or opens an opportunity.

More examples in context

  • The young designer caught a break when a shop offered to display her work.
  • With one delay after another, I felt I could not catch a break.

Usage note

The past tense is caught a break. “Take a break” means stop for a rest, which is a different expression.

A short conversation

A: Did you find a place on the course?
B: I caught a break: someone cancelled just before I called.
A: That was lucky timing.

One more practice question

Which person caught a break?

A. A waiting applicant who unexpectedly receives a newly available place.
B. A worker who chooses to stop for a ten-minute rest.

Check your answer

A. An unexpected opportunity is a lucky break; a rest is taking a break.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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