Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
big break

big break

Date: Sep 12 2002

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

“So, I sort of thought – now I’ve been in a movie, and that’s kind of my big break.”
- Gwyneth Paltrow, movie star, talking about being in her first movie.

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

event that changes life in a positive way; something that will create more opportunities in the future

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

Big break” is most often used to describe an event in a person’s professional life. For example, if you’ve always wanted to be a singer, and you won an important singing contest, that could be your big break. Or, if you’re a scientist and you come up with an amazing invention, that could be your big break. Anything that has a big positive impact in your life, and leads to better things, is a big break.

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

””Kelly Clarkson got her big break when she won the contest in the TV show American Idol.”“

””Mike got his big break in basketball when he played really well in an important game.”“

””Her first role on Broadway was her big break into show business.”“

””I’m still waiting for my big break. I don’t know if it’s ever going to happen, but I really hope it does.”“

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

It refers to a great happening in someone’s life. Something which caused a distintive change either in one’s career or personal life. Something that came to open up to more opportunities ahead.
by Celene (Brazil)
I’ve seen this expression before and it means a great oportunity that might change of life. A kind of lucky moment wich you can take advantage of.
by Ana (Belo Horizonte – Brazil)
I think the meaning or the slang of the week “big break“is a good begin or the best way or decision to start something.
by Francisco
Big break—-huge success.
by Mengxi (Orlando, Florida, USA)
I think “big break” is when you have a chance or opportunity
by Marisela (Duesseldorf, Alemania)
Big break” means great interest or pleasure
by Roshanak (Iran/Tehran)
I think “big break” in this sentence means : an opportunity that might result in future progress.
by Solange
I think a “big break” should be a big opportunity or luck…!
by Christine (Malaysia)
I think “big break” means change your career (habit) completly.
by Erwin (Indonesia)
I think “big break” is kind of big chance, an opening you had and you took it to accomplish what you so much wanted to do.
by Caroline (Guarapuava, Brazil)
I think the “big break” is describing that she’s been in a movie, and it’s not a serious work. She enjoys the feeling of playing a character in a movie.
by Nick (Chungli, Taiwan)
I think the meaning of “big break” is a big change in life. Like you are an actor who tries to get a place in the market and you suddenly get it! You changed your life, it’s a big step in your life! It opens doors in life…
by Andrea (Araraquara, SP, Brasil)
This is the chance to prove myself
by Joan

Want to guess next week's slang?

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Likes (5):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast