coffee break
/'kɔfibreik/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A short pause from work or activity, typically in the morning or afternoon, for the purpose of drinking coffee, tea, or another beverage, often accompanied by a light snack. It serves as a brief rest period.
Usage
- The term "coffee break" is used to denote a scheduled or informal short rest period during the workday.
- It is a compound noun. The primary meaning is the event or period itself, not the beverage.
- Example:
Examples
- Noun:
- The office policy allows for a 15-minute coffee break at 10:30 AM.
- We usually have our coffee break in the staff lounge.
- He stepped out for a quick coffee break to clear his head.
Advanced Usage
- "to take a coffee break": This is the standard verb phrase used with the noun.
- I need to take a coffee break before tackling the next report.
- The concept can be implied even if no coffee is consumed, referring to any short, informal rest period.
- Even though I drink tea, I still call my mid-morning rest a coffee break.
Variants and Related Words
- Tea break (n): Common in British English, synonymous with "coffee break."
- The team gathered for a tea break in the afternoon.
- Break (n): The more general term for any short pause.
- We have a break scheduled at 11 o'clock.
- Recess (n): Often used in educational contexts for a break between lessons.
- Rest period (n): A more formal term for a time designated for rest.
Synonyms
- Rest break: A pause for resting.
- Pause: A temporary stop in action or speech.
- Intermission: A pause between parts of a performance or event (more formal, often longer).
Related Phrases
- Elevenses (n, informal, chiefly British): A light refreshment, often with coffee or tea, taken around 11 a.m.
- Smoko (n, informal, Australian/NZ): A break from work for a cigarette and/or a hot drink.
Notes
- "Coffee break" is a fixed compound noun. Its meaning is specific to the context of work or sustained activity.
- While the name includes "coffee," the break is defined by the pause, not the specific beverage consumed.
Noun
- a snack taken during a break in the work day
- a ten-minute coffee break
- the British have tea breaks