lunch break

Meaning

This phrase refers to the period of time during the workday when an employee is permitted to stop working to eat lunch and rest. It is a standard term in almost all work environments. It is highly conversational and neutral, used by both employees and management.

Examples

• I usually take my lunch break at around one o'clock in the afternoon.

  I usually take my lunch break at around one o'clock in the afternoon.

• We can discuss the details of the project during our lunch break.

  We can discuss the details of the project during our lunch break.

• Our company offers a flexible one-hour lunch break for all staff.

  Our company offers a flexible one-hour lunch break for all staff.

• She went to the bank during her lunch break to deposit a check.

  She went to the bank during her lunch break to deposit a check.

• Is it okay if I take a late lunch break today at 2:00 PM?

  Is it okay if I take a late lunch break today at 2:00 PM?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am going to my lunch pause now.

  ✓ I am going on my lunch break now.

  Many languages use a word similar to 'pause' for a work break, but in English, 'break' is the correct and natural term.

• ✗ I usually have a thirty-minutes lunch break.

  ✓ I usually have a thirty-minute lunch break.

  When using a time duration as an adjective before a noun, it must be singular ('thirty-minute', not 'thirty-minutes').

Related Expressions

Practice

• I will call you back when I am on my ___.

  💡 The midday rest period at work.

  Show answer

  lunch break

• Most employees get a thirty-minute ___ every day.

  💡 Time off during the day to eat.

  Show answer

  lunch break