give someone a break

give someone a break idiom
  1. Give someone a chance or special consideration. For example, She begged the professor for an extension on her term paper, saying “Please give me a break.” [c. 1900] Also see get a break.
  2. give me a break. Stop trying to fool or upset or bother me. For example, Don't tell me the party's been postponed again—give me a break! This interjection is usually uttered with semihumorous exasperation. [Slang; late 1900s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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