the breaks

Idioms  

1. Pieces of luck, turns of events, as in No matter how well he pitches, the team always makes fielding errors—that's the breaks, I guess, or There's not much you can do if the breaks are against you. In the singular and modified forms, this term becomes. In the plural form, only the context determines its favorable or unfavorable meaning. [Slang; early 1900s] Also see tough break.

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Example Sentences

Most of the breaks were repaired within 24 hours, and the neurons continued functioning normally.

From Science Daily • Jun. 21, 2026

Asked whether the breaks could be implemented at Euro 2028, Bullingham said: "I don't think so - I wouldn't have thought that at all."

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

While the breaks have their detractors, there are others who believe they are a positive introduction.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026

JR: Those plucky underdogs from Argentina get all the breaks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

We loaded two cars and drove down the road that was screened with wet mats and the last of the sun came through in the breaks between the strips of mattings.

From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway