Give me a break!

As an idiom in English, the phrase give me a break has three different meanings and uses. Let’s have a look at this common and very useful idiom. By the way, the pronunciation is Gimme a break! Check the audio file below

http://blog.myhappyenglish.com/b9kMr69pW/uploads/2014/04/Happy_English_Give_me_a_Break.mp3 

First of all, we use give me a break to mean “I don’t believe you!” or “That can’t be true!” When someone says something that sounds unbelievable or untrue, you can say, Give me a break! Here are a few examples:

• Bob: I heard that someone jumped off the Empire State Building with a parachute.
• Joe: Give me a break! The security in that building is too tight for such a stunt.

• Ted: Joe said that he saw Johnny Depp at the diner on 6^th Ave.
• Jen: Give me a break! I doubt any movie star would eat at that crappy diner.

We also use Give me a break! when someone is bothering us. In this case it means, “Stop bothering me, please!” or “Ok, that’s enough!”

• Jack: Are you finished yet? I want to watch TV?
• Jane: Jack! Give me a break! I told you I am studying for an important exam. Go watch TV at your friends house.

• Dan: Isn’t dinner ready yet? I’m so hungry!
• Serena: Oh, give me a break! It’s not easy to cook popovers.

Lastly, we use Give me a break! when someone is scolding us or reprimanding us for something. Here, the meaning is “Don’t be so harsh!” or “Please be more lenient with me.”

• Boss: You know you’ve been late twice this week.
• Worker: Can you give me a break? My daughter caught the flu and I’ve needed more time to care for her in the morning.

• Policeman: Miss, you were driving too fast on that street.
• Danielle: I’m sorry officer. Please give me a break! I am going to a job interview and if I am late, I’ll never get the job