SpeakUp

Grammar fix

break even

no profit or loss

to have no profit or loss after all costs are paid; to earn just enough money to cover expenses.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • After paying for the venue and food, the event just managed to break even.money
  • If I started a small business, my main goal in the first year would be to break even, so I wouldn't lose money.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: break even

WrongWe broke the even this month.

RightWe broke even this month.

Fixed phrase 'break even' — no 'the'.

Patternbreak even

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The enterprise achieved a position of fiscal equilibrium with neither profit nor loss.

Natural We just about broke even.

'Fiscal equilibrium' is accountant-formal; 'break even' is the everyday term.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • break even
    just aboutbarelyfinallymanage to

Don't confuse it

'Make a profit' means you earn more than you spend. 'Break even' means your earnings and costs are equal.

Try it in Daily Speak →