caught a break

USAGE SUMMARY

I finally caught a break and received the promotion I've been waiting for." This phrase is correct and commonly used in both written and spoken English.
It means to have a stroke of good luck or to have something positive happen after a string of unfortunate events. It can be used in various contexts, such as in personal conversations, news articles, or even in professional settings. Here are a few more examples: - "After struggling for months, the struggling musician finally caught a break when a famous producer heard their demo." - "I thought I was going to fail the exam, but I caught a break when the professor gave us extra credit." - "Our team has been losing every game, but we finally caught a break and won the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We haven't really caught a break".

The New York Times - Sports

Then Sam Rome caught a break.

The New York Times

Then Detective Torres caught a break.

The New York Times

The Yankees also caught a break after the game.

The New York Times

And then, on 7 March, he finally caught a break.

The Guardian

The Scarlet Knights say they caught a break.

The New York Times - Sports

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton just caught a break.

The New York Times

"We caught a break as bad as we played".

The New York Times

In the semifinals on Friday, Canada caught a break.

The New York Times - Sports

"We caught a break," Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa said.

The New York Times

Consumers also caught a break on rising prices in August.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "caught a break" to describe a specific instance of good fortune or an unexpected advantage in a situation. Ensure the context clearly indicates what the break refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "caught a break" to describe general success or long-term achievement. It's better suited for specific instances where luck or chance played a significant role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caught a break" functions as an idiomatic expression, indicating a sudden and favorable turn of events. As Ludwig AI states, it describes a stroke of good luck or a positive occurrence following a period of difficulty. Examples from the provided data showcase its use in sports, personal situations, and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "caught a break" is a very common and grammatically correct idiomatic phrase used to describe a moment of good fortune or an unexpected advantage. As noted by Ludwig AI, it conveys relief and satisfaction in situations where luck plays a key role. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sports contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a specific instance of positive chance rather than general success. Consider alternatives like "had a stroke of luck" or "got a lucky opportunity" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a stroke of luck

Focuses on the element of chance and good fortune.

got a lucky opportunity

Highlights the positive opportunity that arises unexpectedly.

experienced a fortunate turn

Emphasizes the change in circumstances towards a more positive outcome.

received an unexpected advantage

Highlights the element of surprise and benefit gained.

things turned around

Focuses on the overall shift from negative to positive circumstances.

had some good fortune

Emphasizes the positive outcome of chance or circumstance.

caught a lucky star

This is a more figurative way of saying luck turned in their favor.

got a fair shake

Focuses on receiving equal or just treatment after a period of disadvantage.

found a silver lining

Indicates finding something positive within a difficult situation.

the tide turned

Implies a significant shift in circumstances towards a more favorable outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "caught a break" in a sentence?

Use "caught a break" to describe a situation where someone experiences a sudden, positive change due to luck or unforeseen circumstances. For example, "After a long job search, he finally "caught a break" when a new company opened in town".

What's a less common synonym for "caught a break"?

A less common synonym for "caught a break" is "experienced a fortunate turn", which also implies a positive change in circumstances.

Is it better to say "caught a break" or "had a stroke of luck"?

Both "caught a break" and "had a stroke of luck" are valid, but "caught a break" is often used for specific, smaller instances of good fortune, while "had a stroke of luck" might imply a more significant or overarching positive event.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "caught a break"?

It's inappropriate to use "caught a break" when describing consistent hard work or skill-based achievement. The phrase implies an element of chance or unexpected good fortune, not solely dedicated effort.