big break
Life-changing chance
A big break is the opportunity that launches someone's career or dramatically improves their circumstances.
The phrase implies luck meeting preparation—a chance encounter, audition, or discovery that opens doors previously closed: She got her big break when a talent scout saw her performing in a small club.
Often used retrospectively to identify a turning point.
Likelihood of occurrence
- openingGap or start
- shotQuick liquor serving
- momentBrief period of time
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
launching pad · stepping stone · gateway · door · springboard · audition · callback · discovery
Rank increase or publicity
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- successFavorable outcome attained
- stardomCelebrity status achieved
- famePublic recognition, widespread
recognition · achievement · milestone · ascent · rise · launch · debut · discovery
Wealth or destiny
- serendipityAccidental fortunate discovery
- stroke of luckFortunate unexpected occurrence
- windfallUnanticipated lucky gain
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
fate · destiny · kismet · providence · fluke · coincidence · timing · chance encounter
chance
Likelihood of occurrence
turning point · launching pad · stepping stone · gateway · door · springboard · audition · callback · discovery · recognition
promotion
Rank increase or publicity
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- successFavorable outcome attained
- stardomCelebrity status achieved
fame · recognition · achievement · milestone · ascent · rise · launch · debut · discovery · role
fortune
Wealth or destiny
- serendipityAccidental fortunate discovery
- stroke of luckFortunate unexpected occurrence
- windfallUnanticipated lucky gain
blessing · fate · destiny · kismet · providence · fluke · coincidence · timing · chance encounter · happy accident
pause
Temporary cessation of activity
- restCessation of activity
- intermissionScheduled performance pause
- recessPause in activity
respite · breather · downtime · time off · vacation · holiday · sabbatical · interval · interlude · gap
- opportunitygolden opportunity, window of opportunity, opportunity knocks, once in a lifetime, golden chance
- achievementsaccomplishment, achievement, accomplishments, achievements, triumph
- success storiesrags to riches, success story, underdog story, comeback story, zero to hero
- Big Breaksopportunity, turning point, chance, game-changer, overnight success
- good fortunewinning lottery, jackpot, windfall, stroke of luck, golden opportunity
- windfallsjackpot, windfall, grand prize, found money, big win
big breakdownfall
Sudden loss of power
crushing blow · crushing defeat · fall from grace · missed opportunity · bad break
big breakdead end
Passage without outlet
glass ceiling · stagnation · spinning one's wheels · going nowhere · career limbo
break, broken, unbroken, breaker, breakthrough, breakage, breakaway, lucky break, breaking point