cut a break

cut (one) a break

To be lenient or do something that makes a situation easier for someone else. A: "You cut them a break and charged them much less than me!" B: "Yeah, because they're family members and you're not." You know I never make requests like this, cut me a break. A: "I can't believe she talked to me like that!" B: "You need to cut her a break—she's grieving right now."

See also: break, cut

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

cut someone a break

 and cut someone some slack

Sl., to give someone a break; to allow someone a reprieve from the consequences of an action. Come on, cut me a break! I'm a good guy! I was only a few minutes late! Cut me a break! Don't dock my pay! Cut me some slack and I'll be sure to pay you all I owe in a month.

See also: break, cut

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.