take a break
To rest briefly
Literalmente: to grab a fracture or a gap in time
Use it to announce a short pause in any activity to rest and return later.
En 15 segundos
- To stop an activity briefly to rest or recharge your energy.
- Commonly used in work, study, and physical exercise contexts.
- A polite, neutral way to pause a task or a conversation.
Significado
It means to stop what you are doing for a little while. You do this to rest, eat, or just clear your head before starting again.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Working at the office
I've been typing for three hours, I need to take a break.
I've been typing for three hours, I need to rest briefly.
Studying with a friend
Let's take a break and go get some pizza!
Let's stop studying for a bit and go get some pizza!
In a formal meeting
Shall we take a ten-minute break before we continue?
Should we stop for ten minutes before we continue?
Contexto cultural
The concept of the 'coffee break' became a standard part of Western work culture in the mid-20th century. It emphasizes that productivity requires rest. In many English-speaking countries, taking a short break is often legally protected in employment contracts.
The 'Take Five' Secret
If you want to sound like a native speaker in a casual setting, say 'Let's take five.' It specifically means a 5-minute break!
Relationship Danger
Be careful! 'Taking a break' in a romantic relationship often means stopping the relationship temporarily, not just resting.
En 15 segundos
- To stop an activity briefly to rest or recharge your energy.
- Commonly used in work, study, and physical exercise contexts.
- A polite, neutral way to pause a task or a conversation.
What It Means
Take a break is your permission slip to stop working. It is not about quitting forever. It is about hitting the pause button. Think of it like a phone charger. You are the phone, and the break is the plug. You stop, you recharge, and you come back stronger. It is a very common way to say you need a rest.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a verb. You can take a break for five minutes or an hour. It is very flexible. You can say "I am taking a break" or ask someone "Do you want to take a break?" It sounds natural in almost any sentence. Just remember to use the word take. We do not usually say "do a break" or "make a break" in this context.
When To Use It
Use it whenever you feel tired or bored with a task. Use it at the office when your eyes hurt from the screen. Use it during a long hike when your legs feel like jelly. It is perfect for social situations too. If a conversation is getting too long, you can take a break. It is a polite way to step away for a moment.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if you are stopping something permanently. If you quit your job, you did not take a break. If you are sleeping for eight hours, that is just sleeping. Also, avoid using it during a high-stakes emergency. If the kitchen is on fire, do not tell your roommate you are going to take a break! That might cause some confusion.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, the coffee break is a sacred ritual. In the UK, it might be a tea break. In the US, people often take a break to grab a snack or walk around the block. It is a sign of a healthy work-life balance. Taking a break is seen as a way to stay productive, not as being lazy. We even have a famous candy bar slogan: "Have a break, have a KitKat."
Common Variations
You might hear people say take five. This means a very short five-minute break. Another one is take a breather. This is usually used after doing something physical, like running. If you are in a relationship and need space, you might go on a break. Be careful with that last one—it is much more serious than just resting from work!
Notas de uso
This is a highly versatile collocation. It fits perfectly in both casual conversations and professional environments. Always use the verb 'take' and the indefinite article 'a'.
The 'Take Five' Secret
If you want to sound like a native speaker in a casual setting, say 'Let's take five.' It specifically means a 5-minute break!
Relationship Danger
Be careful! 'Taking a break' in a romantic relationship often means stopping the relationship temporarily, not just resting.
The KitKat Connection
In the UK and US, the phrase is forever linked to the KitKat chocolate bar slogan: 'Have a break, have a KitKat.'
Ejemplos
6I've been typing for three hours, I need to take a break.
I've been typing for three hours, I need to rest briefly.
A standard way to express physical or mental fatigue at work.
Let's take a break and go get some pizza!
Let's stop studying for a bit and go get some pizza!
Suggesting a fun pause during a difficult task.
Shall we take a ten-minute break before we continue?
Should we stop for ten minutes before we continue?
Used to suggest a scheduled pause in a formal setting.
Work is crazy today, can't wait to take a break and see you.
Work is busy today, I want to stop and see you.
Expressing a desire for rest and social connection.
I did one push-up, time to take a break for the rest of the week.
I did one push-up, now I will rest for the whole week.
Using the phrase to joke about being lazy.
This is getting very intense, can we take a break for a second?
This is very emotional, can we stop for a moment?
Used to ask for space during a difficult discussion.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase.
I'm feeling exhausted. I think I'll ___ a break.
In English, we always 'take' a break. 'Do' or 'make' are incorrect collocations.
Complete the sentence for a work context.
The meeting has been going on for hours. Let's ___ ___ ___.
'Take a break' is the standard phrase for a short pause during a meeting.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality of 'Take a Break'
Used with friends or family.
Hey, let's take a break.
Standard for office and daily life.
I'm going to take a break now.
Polite suggestion in meetings.
Perhaps we should take a brief break.
When to Take a Break
At the Gym
Resting between sets.
While Studying
Clearing your head after math.
At the Office
Grabbing a coffee at 3 PM.
Driving
Stopping at a rest area.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it implies you will return to the task soon. If you are quitting, you would say I'm stopping or I quit.
No, make a break usually means to run away or escape, like in make a break for it. Use take for resting.
It depends on the context, but usually between 5 and 30 minutes. A lunch break might be an hour.
Yes, it is a neutral and professional phrase. You can say, I'm going to take a short break without any problem.
Rest is more general and can mean sleeping. Take a break specifically means pausing an activity you were doing.
Not usually. For a vacation, you would say take a vacation or take some time off.
Yes, but take a breather is more common after physical exercise or something very stressful.
It means the couple is stopping their romantic involvement for a while to think about their future.
You must use the article a. The correct phrase is always take a break.
Yes, it is used in all major English dialects, though Brits might also call it a tea break.
Frases relacionadas
Take five
To take a very short, five-minute rest.
Take a breather
To stop and catch your breath after physical effort.
Take a load off
To sit down and relax (very casual).
Time out
A brief suspension of activity, often used in sports or for children.
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