PhrasesHub

Break even

    Definitions

      • financial equality
        To reach a point where losses and gains are balanced, resulting in no loss or gain overall

      • achieve the same result
        To end up with the same result or outcome as someone or something else, often despite going through different processes or paths

      • end a dispute or stalemate
        To reach a point of mutual agreement or understanding, usually ending a disagreement or situation of being stuck at a standstill

    Examples of Break even

    • After months of struggling to sell his products, the entrepreneur finally broke even.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where the costs and revenue of a business or project are equal, resulting in no profit or loss. In this example, the entrepreneur's expenses and income have balanced out, allowing him to no longer be in a state of loss.

    • The charity's annual fundraiser always breaks even, but the organizers continue to put on the event because they believe in the cause.

      This example shows that breaking even doesn't necessarily mean a loss, as the charity's event covers its costs and doesn't make a profit or a loss. The organizers continue to hold the event because they believe in the charity's mission, rather than for financial gain.

    • The stock market took a nosedive, but investors are hoping that the market will eventually break even.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a situation where a loss is expected to be recouped. In this case, the stock market has experienced a significant drop, but investors are optimistic that the market will eventually return to its previous state, resulting in no net gain or loss.

    • The company's sales have been sluggish, but they're hoping to break even by the end of the quarter.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to describe a financial goal. The company's sales have been low, but they're working to reach a point where their expenses and income are equal by the end of the quarter.

    • The athlete trained tirelessly to break even in the competition, but ultimately came in second place.

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to describe a situation where the goal is to achieve parity, rather than a win or a loss. In this case, the athlete worked hard to perform at the same level as their competitors, but they didn't quite manage to achieve that goal.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "break even" has three main meanings, all of which revolve around reaching a point of balance or equality. In a financial context, it refers to achieving a state where expenses and earnings are equal, resulting in no net gain or loss. In a broader sense, it can also be used to describe achieving the same result or outcome as someone or something else, despite taking different paths. Additionally, it can be used to express the resolution of a dispute or stalemate, reaching a point of mutual understanding or agreement.

    Origin of "Break even"

    The origin of the idiom "break even" is believed to come from the world of gambling. In games like poker, players aim to break even by winning back the money they initially invested in the game. Over time, the phrase became more widely used to describe any situation where expenses and earnings were balanced.

    Another theory suggests that the idiom may have originated from the world of accounting. In accounting, the term "break-even point" refers to the point at which a company's total revenue equals its total expenses, resulting in zero profit or loss. This idea of breaking even may have been adopted into everyday language to describe other situations where balance is achieved.

    Regardless of its exact origin, the idiom "break even" has become a common phrase used in various contexts, often conveying the idea of reaching a state of balance or equality. Whether in finance, relationships, or other areas of life, the notion of breaking even remains a relatable and widely used expression.