bad break
Stroke of misfortune
Bad break is an unlucky occurrence or unfortunate turn of events, often one that disrupts plans or causes setback: Getting injured right before the tournament was a bad break.
The phrase suggests misfortune that couldn't reasonably have been prevented—bad luck rather than bad judgment.
In billiards, a bad break is literally an unsuccessful opening shot.
- misfortuneAdverse circumstance or event
- unluckyProne to misfortune
- hard luckPersistent ill fortune
- setbackReverse in progress
- tough luckDismissive acknowledgment of misfortune
hardship · fracture · compound fracture · snap · bone · injury · accident · shatter · crack · cruel twist · raw deal · bummer · blow · disappointment · jinx · curse · twist of fate · rough patch
- fortunelucky, luck, fortune, fate, destiny
- bummersletdown, setback, downer, buzzkill, disappointment
- trump playsruffing, overruff, cross-ruff, uppercut, trump suit
- fatedestiny, fate, kismet, Moira, fated
- lamentslamentation, wailing, keen, keening, lament
- superstitionblack cat, Friday the 13th, walking under ladder, evil eye, jinx
bad breaklucky break
Unforeseen favorable occurrence
stroke of luck · good fortune · windfall · blessing in disguise · piece of luck
bad breakbig break
Career-making opportunity
golden opportunity · turning point · leg up · open door · stepping stone
bad, break, badly, badness, breaks, broke, broken, breaking, breaker