Grammar fix
give me a break
reject a claim
Used to show that you think someone's claim or excuse is ridiculous or hard to believe.
expression
How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inMostly spoken
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Give me a break — you can't seriously expect me to believe that story.
My brother told me he'd been revising all night, and I was like, 'Oh, give me a break' — his game was still on the screen.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: I don't believe! There are crumbs all over your shirt.
Say: Give me a break! There are crumbs all over your shirt.
'Believe' needs an object ('I don't believe you'); the set reaction to a ridiculous excuse is 'Give me a break!'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Tell someone you don't believe them
How confrontationalExasperated reactionDirect rejection
give me a breakYou're here · Informally show you find a claim ridiculous or unconvincing.
come off itEspecially British: tell someone to stop making an unbelievable claim.don't give me thatFirmly reject an excuse or claim you do not believe.