breɪk ˈiːvən
Money & Finance
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- To break something evenly or equally
What does "break even" mean?
- To neither make a profit nor incur a loss
- To have gains and losses that balance out
Examples
- After three years, the business finally started to break even.
- At best, we'll break even on this investment.
- If we sell 1000 units, we'll break even.
Origin
From gambling and business terminology in the 19th century. The 'break' refers to dividing or splitting, with 'even' meaning equal. A break-even point is where costs equal revenues.
How to use it
Common in business and financial contexts. Can be used as verb ('break even') or noun/adjective ('break-even point').
Similar expressions
come out even
neither win nor lose
cover costs
Opposites
make a profit
take a loss
Related idioms
- pay an arm and a leg
To pay an extremely high price
- make ends meet
To earn just enough money to cover basic expenses
- cost an arm and a leg
To be very expensive
- money doesn't grow on trees
Money is not easily acquired; it must be earned
- break the bank
To cost too much money
- hit the jackpot
To achieve great success or win something valuable
Use it in a practice answer
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