dinnertime break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dinnertime break" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a break taken during the dinner period, often in the context of work or activities that require a pause for a meal. Example: "After a long day of meetings, we finally took a much-needed dinnertime break to recharge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Most everything Clyde stole were Ford V-8s," Hill explained during a dinnertime break in shooting.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Owen cuts slices of dinnertime bread.

The Guardian - Books

During local news broadcasts here last week at breakfast, lunch or dinnertime, barely a commercial break went by when several advertisements did not mention ethics charges against him from his time as House speaker, his $1.6 million payments from the mortgage giant Freddie Mac or his three marriages.

The New York Times

He was called the Dinnertime Bandit because of his penchant for breaking into homes in Greenwich while the occupants were eating.

The New York Times

Your scheduled lunch break at work or your usual family dinnertime can reliably set your stomach growling.

The New Yorker

It was dinnertime, and more important, I thought, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The New York Times - Tech

No effort is made to push guests into matey conversation -- some are standoffish, some not, to begin with -- but the atmosphere and the charm of the management team soon break down any initial reserve or language barriers, and by dinnertime people are exchanging business cards, scribbled addresses ("If you're ever in Cape Town... .), photographs of game and, of course, safari stories.

The New York Times - Travel

When news of Renisha McBride broke, my college friend, Tsan Merritt-Poree Abrahamson, posted a little missive on Facebook: When I was 9 months pregnant, my car broke down about a mile from my house, at 7pm (dinnertime).

The Guardian - Opinion

Dinnertime dictators!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Adolf Hitler's dinnertime conversation?

The Economist

Usually at dinnertime.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dinnertime break" to specifically denote an interruption or pause taken during the time when dinner is typically consumed, especially in contexts where activities are structured around meal times.

Common error

Avoid using "dinnertime break" to refer to breaks at other meal times like lunch or breakfast; this phrase is specific to the dinner period. Instead, use "meal break" or specify the actual time, such as "lunch break".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dinnertime break" functions as a noun phrase, specifying a period of interruption during the dinner hour. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is mainly used in news and media, such as referring to a break in shooting a movie scene.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dinnertime break" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It refers to a pause or interruption during the dinner period and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not particularly frequent, it's a clear and understandable way to denote a break taken during dinnertime. Alternatives like "meal break" or "dinner intermission" can be used, depending on the context. Remember to use "dinnertime break" specifically for breaks during the dinner hour, not other meal times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Meal break

Omits "dinnertime" specifying more broadly it is a break during a meal.

Break for dinner

Swaps the order of words, emphasizing the break aspect instead of the time of the break.

Dinner intermission

Replaces "break" with "intermission", suggesting a temporary halt during dinnertime.

Mealtime pause

Substitutes both "dinnertime" and "break" with broader terms for mealtime and interruption.

Supper recess

Uses "supper" as a synonym for "dinner" and "recess" for "break", indicating a formal pause.

Dinnertime respite

Replaces "break" with "respite", implying a short period of rest or relief during dinner.

Evening meal hiatus

Substitutes "dinnertime" with "evening meal" and "break" with "hiatus", indicating a temporary suspension.

Dinner period pause

Uses a more descriptive phrase, replacing "break" with "pause" and rephrasing "dinnertime".

Evening feeding cessation

This phrase uses a more clinical or formal tone, replacing familiar terms with more technical words.

Dinnertime interlude

Substitutes break with interlude, suggesting a brief, enjoyable interruption during dinner.

FAQs

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

You can use "dinnertime break" to describe a pause or interruption during dinner. For example, "The family took a "dinnertime break" to discuss their day".

What's a good alternative to "dinnertime break"?

Alternatives include "meal break", "dinner intermission", or "pause for dinner", depending on the specific context.

Is "dinnertime break" formal or informal?

"Dinnertime break" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal settings might prefer "evening meal hiatus".

What is the difference between "dinnertime break" and "dinner break"?

"Dinnertime break" and "dinner break" are largely interchangeable, with the former perhaps slightly emphasizing the time of day, and the latter focusing on the meal itself.