take a break
/teɪk ə breɪk/phrase★Beginner— pause from work or activity
informal
To pause from an activity to rest or relax
The teacher told the students to take a break before the test.
The teacher instructed the students to rest for a short time before starting the test.
💡
Commonly used in work, study, or daily routines to indicate a short pause.
Collocations
take a short breaka brief pausetake a coffee breaka pause to drink coffee
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Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Usage in Workplaces
In professional settings, 'take a break' is polite and encourages productivity by preventing burnout.
⚡Gold Rule
Polite Request
When asking someone to take a break, phrase it as a suggestion rather than a command.
📖Word Origin
The phrase combines the verb 'take' (to pause) and 'break' (a pause or interruption), reflecting the idea of stopping an activity temporarily.
📝Usage Notes
Often used in workplaces, schools, or during long tasks to indicate a short rest period.
Word Breakdown
take
to pause or stop
verba
indefinite article
articlebreak
a pause or interruption
nounEnglish Dictionary