Break even
verb
To earn exactly the same amount of money as you spent.
After paying all the expenses for the concert, the band only broke even.
Often appears as...
- break even point
- just break even
verb
In the game of poker, it refers to winning exactly as much money as you lost.
After a long night at the poker table, he walked away breaking even.
Often appears as...
- break even poker
- just about broke even
Usage tips
Idiomatic
noun
In business, it is a point where total costs and total revenue are equal.
Our sales team need to sell at least 100 units to reach the break-even point.
Often appears as...
- break even analysis
- break even chart
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
verb
To earn exactly the same amount of money as you spent.
After paying all the expenses for the concert, the band only broke even.
Often appears as...
- break even point
- just break even
verb
In the game of poker, it refers to winning exactly as much money as you lost.
After a long night at the poker table, he walked away breaking even.
Often appears as...
- break even poker
- just about broke even
Usage tips
Idiomatic
noun
In business, it is a point where total costs and total revenue are equal.
Our sales team need to sell at least 100 units to reach the break-even point.
Often appears as...
- break even analysis
- break even chart
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3No Profit or Loss
The phrase implies neither making money nor suffering a loss, just covering expenses.
The shopkeeper managed to break even within the first year, which was encouraging.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Positive
'Break even' contextually may not be a positive outcome, especially if profit was expected.
Despite the high attendance, the event could only break even due to unexpected costs.
Pro Tip 3/3Goal For Startups
In business, reaching the break-even point is a common initial goal for a new company.
Many startups aim to break even in their first few years before seeking profit.
Pro Tip 1/3No Profit or Loss
The phrase implies neither making money nor suffering a loss, just covering expenses.
The shopkeeper managed to break even within the first year, which was encouraging.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Positive
'Break even' contextually may not be a positive outcome, especially if profit was expected.
Despite the high attendance, the event could only break even due to unexpected costs.
Pro Tip 3/3Goal For Startups
In business, reaching the break-even point is a common initial goal for a new company.
Many startups aim to break even in their first few years before seeking profit.
Pro Tip 1/3No Profit or Loss
The phrase implies neither making money nor suffering a loss, just covering expenses.
The shopkeeper managed to break even within the first year, which was encouraging.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Positive
'Break even' contextually may not be a positive outcome, especially if profit was expected.
Despite the high attendance, the event could only break even due to unexpected costs.
Pro Tip 3/3Goal For Startups
In business, reaching the break-even point is a common initial goal for a new company.
Many startups aim to break even in their first few years before seeking profit.
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