tough break

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English

Noun

tough break (uncountable)

  1. (idiomatic) A situation resulting in misfortune or hardship; an instance of bad luck.
    • 1998, Cal Ripken, Mike Bryan, The Only Way I Know, Penguin Publishing Group, page 389:
      So I close by saying that I might have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for.
    • 2014, Frederick Nebel, Will Murray, Tough as Nails, Head of Zeus, page 30:
      When you pulled that job in Westchester two years ago, I'll admit you got a tough break.

Interjection

tough break

  1. (idiomatic) An interjection of mild or insincere sympathy for someone else's misfortune.
    • 1966, Charles Dizenzo, A Great Career, Dramatists Play Service, page 16:
      Tough break, Linda.
    • 1990, Rickley S. Christian, Alive 2, Campus Life Books, page 120:
      My reaction? Tough break, chump.

Synonyms