Grammar fix
break even
no profit or loss
to have no profit or loss after all costs are paid; to earn just enough money to cover expenses.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
After paying for the venue and food, the event just managed to break even.
If I started a small business, my main goal in the first year would be to break even, so I wouldn't lose money.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: We broke the even this month.
Say: We broke even this month.
Fixed phrase 'break even' — no 'the'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Fiscal equilibrium' is accountant-formal; 'break even' is the everyday term.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
break even
- just about
- barely
- finally
- manage to