have a break

Meaning

This phrase means to stop working or studying for a short period of time to rest, relax, or eat. It is commonly used in offices and schools to describe a pause in daily activities. In American English, 'take a break' is also very common.

Examples

• Let's have a break and get some coffee.

  Let's have a break and get some coffee.

• We usually have a fifteen-minute break at 10:30 AM.

  We usually have a fifteen-minute break at 10:30 AM.

• I am so tired; I really need to have a break.

  I am so tired; I really need to have a break.

• Are we going to have a break before the next meeting?

  Are we going to have a break before the next meeting?

• You should have a break if your eyes hurt from the computer screen.

  You should have a break if your eyes hurt from the computer screen.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to do a break now.

  ✓ I want to have a break now.

  We use the verbs 'have' or 'take' with 'break', not the verb 'do'.

• ✗ Let's have break for ten minutes.

  ✓ Let's have a break for ten minutes.

  'Break' is a countable noun here, so you need the indefinite article 'a'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We have been studying for three hours; let's ___.

  💡 Stop working to rest for a short time.

  Show answer

  have a break

• I usually ___ at noon to eat my lunch.

  💡 Take a short rest from work.

  Show answer

  have a break