breakout role
/ˈbreɪk.aʊt roʊl/
Meaning
A breakout role is a performance in a movie, TV show, or play that makes a previously unknown actor suddenly famous and widely recognized. It is the defining moment that 'breaks' them into the mainstream entertainment industry, leading to bigger opportunities.
Examples
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Her breakout role in that indie drama earned her an Oscar nomination and launched her career.
Her breakout role in that indie drama earned her an Oscar nomination and launched her career.
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Many people forget that his breakout role was actually in a low-budget horror film.
Many people forget that his breakout role was actually in a low-budget horror film.
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The young actor is hoping this upcoming superhero movie will be his breakout role.
The young actor is hoping this upcoming superhero movie will be his breakout role.
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After years of minor television appearances, she finally landed a breakout role on a hit Netflix series.
After years of minor television appearances, she finally landed a breakout role on a hit Netflix series.
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The critics praised his performance, calling it the definitive breakout role of the year.
The critics praised his performance, calling it the definitive breakout role of the year.
Common Mistakes
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✗ This movie was his breaking role that made him famous.
✓ This movie was his breakout role that made him famous.
The correct industry term is 'breakout role', not 'breaking role'.
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✗ She played a breakout role of a detective.
✓ She had a breakout role as a detective.
We typically say someone 'had' or 'landed' a breakout role 'as' a character, rather than 'played a breakout role of'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Playing the young wizard was definitely his ___, as nobody knew him before that film.
💡 The performance that made an unknown actor famous.
Show answer
breakout role
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She spent a decade doing commercials before landing her ___ in a critically acclaimed drama.
💡 A career-launching performance.
Show answer
breakout role