101 break

give me a break¹

You can say `give me a break' after someone has said or done something, to show that you think that they are being very annoying or ridiculous.

The news item ended with comments from `South Australian feminists' who were `satisfied' by the finding. Give me a break! Why do they have to quote feminists on a decision that concerns the rights of all women? Why can't they quote mothers, teachers, or dancers?

give me a break²

You can say `give me a break' to tell someone to stop criticizing or annoying you and leave you alone.

Anxious families on the crime-ridden Mayhill estate in Swansea, yesterday begged youngsters, `Give us a break', after dozens of cars were wrecked by the gangs.

give someone an even break

get an even break

give a sucker an even break

If you are never given an even break or you never get an even break, you do not get the same chances or opportunities to do something as other people. This expression is used mainly in American English.

is loath to give the opposition an even break.

He kept talking about how she never got an even break from the

If someone says `never give a sucker an even break', they are saying light-heartedly or ironically that you should not allow less fortunate people to have the same chances and opportunities as yourself.

His philosophy may be summed up as `Never give a sucker an even break'.

had no idea of fair play or giving suckers an even break.