take a complete break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a complete break" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of rest or cessation from work or activity. Example: "After months of intense work, I decided to take a complete break to recharge and relax."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

And would managers be happy to see their players take a complete break in the middle of a crucial campaign?

The Guardian - Sport

I decided that it was best for me to take a complete break, both mentally and physically, for at least a week.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a complex injury – consisting of three interconnected problems around the tibia – and she was advised to take a complete break for many months.

The Guardian - Sport

Try dividing your day into 60- to 90-minute chunks where you are highly focused on a task or project, then leave your desk and take a complete break from work, she said: "Go for a walk, have a cup of coffee, but leave the space where you are working and totally disengage for 15 minutes".

The New York Times

The star columnist, whose absence from the Times since December 31 led to speculation her contract had been terminated, said she was on extended sabbatical leave from the paper for the rest of the year and would take a complete break from journalism in 2007.

The Guardian

In 2012, emotionally and mentally drained by the demands of the job, Guardiola resigned and enjoyed a sabbatical from the game, living for a year in New York to pursue his cultural interests and take a complete break from football.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In the age of smartphones, social media and cheap international calls, the perfect holiday for a growing number of people involves taking a complete break from the digital world.

The Guardian - Travel

The door was finally open for Gilroy to make that offer but even if he did, Connolly is currently not interested in playing hurling and football, at any level; at the moment, he is taking a complete break from everything.

The Times

According to experts, taking a complete break from cigarettes for at least 28 days greatly increases the odds of being able to kick the smoking habit for life.

BBC

During my Ph.D., I would sometimes work strenuously for a month, but then I would make sure to take a long weekend off, visiting friends, taking a complete break.

Science Magazine

"People wondered why I was working, but Mukesh encouraged me". She took a complete break after the premature birth of her twins in 1991 following a difficult IVF pregnancy.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take a complete break" when you want to emphasize a total separation from work or other responsibilities for rest and recovery.

Common error

Avoid using "take a complete break" when referring to brief pauses; instead, opt for "take a short break" or "take a breather" to accurately reflect the duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a complete break" functions as a verb phrase that signifies a period of rest or cessation from an activity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take a complete break" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies a period of significant rest and disengagement from regular activities. Ludwig AI analysis shows the expression to be more common in News & Media and Wiki contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various situations. While Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, it's important to differentiate it from shorter breaks and to consider context when choosing alternatives like "take a full break" or "take a sabbatical". Using this phrase effectively involves understanding the need for significant rest and avoiding confusion with shorter pauses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a full break

Replaces "complete" with "full", emphasizing the thoroughness of the break.

take a total break

Substitutes "complete" with "total", highlighting the all-encompassing nature of the break.

take a complete rest

Replaces "break" with "rest", focusing on relaxation and recovery.

take a sabbatical

Implies a longer, more formal break, often from work or studies.

take time off

A general phrase for taking a break from work or other responsibilities.

take a pause

Suggests a temporary cessation of activity.

down tools

Idiomatic expression meaning to stop working, often used in a work context.

take a breather

Implies a short break to rest and recover.

step away

Suggests temporarily leaving a situation or task.

unplug

Specifically refers to disconnecting from technology and digital devices.

FAQs

How can I use "take a complete break" in a sentence?

You can use "take a complete break" to describe a period of rest and disengagement from regular activities. For example, "After the project, I plan to take a complete break to recharge."

What are some alternatives to "take a complete break"?

Alternatives include "take a full break", "take a total break", or "take a sabbatical", depending on the context.

Is it better to "take a complete break" or "take a short break"?

The choice depends on the context. "Take a complete break" implies a longer period of disengagement, while "take a short break" suggests a brief pause to refresh. Choose based on the length of the intended rest period.

What's the difference between "take a complete break" and "unplug"?

"Take a complete break" is a general term for resting, whereas "unplug" specifically refers to disconnecting from electronic devices and digital media. One is more specific than the other.