Definition

Verb Phrase 1. To reach a point where income equals expenses, resulting in no net profit or loss. This is primarily used in business, finance, and economics to describe a situation where total revenue equals total costs. 2. To finish a competition or endeavor without a net gain or loss. This can apply to gambling, sports, or other competitive scenarios where the outcome is balanced.

Usage

The phrase "break even" functions as an intransitive verb phrase. It describes a state or result and is not used with a direct object. * The primary goal in the first year is to break even. * After a slow start, the company expects to break even by the third quarter. * He bet on both teams, so he managed to break even regardless of the game's outcome.

Examples

• Business/Finance:
  • The new café needs to sell 100 cups of coffee a day just to break even.
  • After accounting for all production costs, the film barely broke even at the box office.
• Gambling/Competition:
  • I won some and lost some at the poker table, so I broke even for the night.
  • The tennis match was so intense that both players felt they broke even in terms of effort and result.

Advanced Usage

• "break-even point" (noun): The specific moment, quantity, or revenue level at which costs and income are equal. This is a related compound term.
  • Calculating the break-even point is crucial for any business plan.
• The phrase can be used in a more figurative sense to describe any situation with a neutral outcome.
  • After all the stress and extra hours, I feel like I just broke even on that project.

Variants and Related Words

• Break-even (adjective): Used attributively to describe the point of zero profit or loss.
  • The break-even analysis showed we need a 20% market share.
• Break-even point (noun): As defined above.

Synonyms

• Balance the books: (Idiomatic, for finance)
• Make neither a profit nor a loss: (Literal explanation)
• Come out even: (Informal)

Antonyms

• Turn a profit
• Make a loss / Operate at a loss
• Go into the red (Idiomatic)

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Come out ahead: To finish with a net gain or advantage.
  • We didn't just break even; we actually came out ahead on the deal.
• End up square: (Informal) To finish with no debt or advantage to either side.
  • If we trade these items, we'll end up square.

Verb

1. attain a level at which there is neither gain nor loss, as in business, gambling, or a competitive sport
2. make neither profit nor loss