break even

USAGE SUMMARY

"break even" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to mean "neither gain nor lose money when you are doing something". For example, you could say: "If I sell 10 pieces of my artwork, I'll break even on my supplies and expenses".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

He didn't break even.

The New York Times

I hardly break even.

The New York Times - Magazine

Why break even?

The New Yorker

You break even.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We break even.

The Guardian

That's just above break even.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Break-even points are falling.

The Economist

has almost reached the break-even point.

The New Yorker

It's almost a break-even decision.

The New Yorker

Beyond break-even, mission fuel is saved.

Transportation Research Procedia

Calculating Your Break-Even Point.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing business ventures or investments, clearly define the specific costs and revenues you're considering when stating you expect to "break even". This provides context and credibility.

Common error

Don't assume that "break even" is a synonym for profitability. Breaking even simply means covering all expenses; it doesn't imply making a profit. If your goal is to demonstrate the viability of a business plan, show how you'll move beyond the break-even point to generate actual profit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break even" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It indicates a state of equilibrium where gains equal losses, especially in financial contexts. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in business, economics, and even general scenarios where balance is achieved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break even" is a very common verb phrase that means to neither gain nor lose money. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it's frequently used in News & Media, Academia and Science contexts. When using "break even", it's important to differentiate it from profitability. The phrase functions to convey the notion of reaching equilibrium, primarily in financial contexts. Consider using related phrases such as "cover costs" or "reach a balance" depending on the specific context you need to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neither gain nor lose

Directly states the absence of profit or loss, serving as a fundamental explanation.

cover costs

Highlights the act of offsetting expenses, less about making a profit and more about avoiding a loss.

balance the books

Specifically refers to financial records and ensuring debits equal credits.

come out square

Suggests ending up with neither a gain nor a loss, often in a more informal or colloquial manner.

reach a balance

Focuses on achieving a state of equilibrium, emphasizing the balance aspect rather than financial implications.

wash one's face

An idiom suggesting that revenue from the business is enough to pay the expenses only.

neutralize expenses

Focuses on the process of counteracting costs to achieve a zero balance.

recoup investment

Emphasizes recovering the initial capital outlay.

offset losses

Highlights the act of reducing or nullifying financial deficits.

make ends meet

Addresses the broader challenge of covering essential expenditures, not exclusively related to business.

FAQs

How do I use "break even" in a sentence?

You can use "break even" to describe a situation where gains equal losses, such as: "After selling 50 units, the company will "break even"." It can also refer to non-financial situations where gains and losses balance out.

What can I say instead of "break even"?

You can use alternatives like "cover costs", "reach a balance", or "neither gain nor lose" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "break even" or make a profit?

While ""break even"" is better than losing money, the ultimate goal for most businesses is to be profitable. Breaking even means you're just covering costs, while profitability indicates growth and financial success.

What does it mean to perform a "break-even" analysis?

A break-even analysis helps determine the point at which total revenue equals total costs. It is commonly used for businesses to calculate at which point it will "break even".