to take a break

Examples

• All

• Okay, well, we're gonna take a break.

  Late Night with the Devil (2024)

• So we need time to be able to take a break, to be able to step back.

• OK, Number one, take a break, step back.

• OK, number one, take a break, step back.

• Do you think you want to take a break or right now?

• Feel free to take a break if you like.

  Nefarious (2023)

• All right, let's take a break and we'll be right back.

  H3 Podcast

• Let's take a break for a half hour.

  Last Resort (1996)

• You are free, completely free; the lesson is over, you can take a break.

  Fiction book (1991)

• OK, I usually take a break around lunchtime.

  The Knowledge Project Podcast

Synonyms

R

to rest

vsto take a break

816 1.0

To stop activity to relax or sleep and get energy back

is a brief pause for quick relaxation rather than extended recovery

P

to pause

vsto take a break

346 1.0

Stop for a short time before continuing

is a short stop specifically for rest or relaxation

L

to leave off

vsto take a break

• Informal

104 4.1

Stop doing something for a short time, for example at a point in a book

is a short rest for relaxation rather than a simple stop point

T

to take a moment

vsto take a break

98 3.4

Stop for a short time to think, rest or remember something

is stopping a short time chiefly for rest and relaxation

W

to wind down

vsto take a break

• Informal

39 3.7

To relax after a busy or stressful time and slowly come to an end

is a short pause for rest rather than a gradual ending

U

to unwind

vsto take a break

35 3.4

Become relaxed and less tense after work or a stressful time

is a short stop for rest rather than a longer de-stress period

C

to catch one's breath

vsto take a break

32 3.7

Pause to breathe normally after hard exercise or a shock

is pausing to rest generally, not only to recover breathing

T

to take five

vsto take a break

• Informal

28 4.2

Have a short break for about five minutes

is pausing for a short rest without fixed time

B

to breathe

vsto take a break

• Informal

25 2.6

To take a short break to rest

is stopping briefly to rest before continuing work

T

to take time out

vsto take a break

24 3.2

Stop what you are doing to rest or do something different for a short time

is pausing mainly for short rest then resuming normal activity

T

to take a breather

vsto take a break

• Informal

14 3.5

To stop and rest for a short time

is pausing briefly to rest before carrying on tasks

T

to take a load off

vsto take a break

• Informal

13 5.5

To sit down and rest after standing or working

is a general short rest that may not involve sitting

H

to hit pause

vsto take a break

• Informal

2 4.3

Temporarily stop an activity to rest or think

is pausing mainly to rest rather than to think or reassess

T

to take ten

vsto take a break

1 5.1

A short ten-minute break during work or rehearsal

is pausing for a short rest without a specific length

T

to take a moment to orient

vsto take a break

4.1

Pause briefly to look around and understand where you are

is pausing mainly to rest rather than to orient oneself

I

to intermit

vsto take a break

8.9

To stop for a short time and then start again

is an informal short rest for relaxation not formal suspension

S

to set a spell

vsto take a break

• Archaic

9.4

To sit and rest for a short time and talk

is a brief rest focused on quick relaxation rather than social enjoyment

Antonyms

K

to keep going

357 1.6

To continue doing something without stopping

How Long

to vacation

• US

36 3.0

to take time off

26 2.6

rest

703 1.0

to take a break

496 1.4

to take a breather

• Informal

14 3.5

to pause

346 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology