tough break
Rotten turn, pal
A tough break is an unfortunate occurrence or piece of bad luck, often one that derails plans or disappoints expectations.
The phrase typically expresses sympathy, though it can also be used sarcastically or dismissively.
He lost the job to the boss's nephew—tough break.
Someone might describe their own misfortune this way with a shrug, acknowledging setback without dwelling on it.
setback
Reverse in progress
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
- adversitySevere difficulty or suffering
- bad luckUnfavorable chance events
disappointment · reversal · downturn · letdown · blow · loss · rejection · failure · defeat · heartache
accident
Unintended harmful event
slip-up · fluke · error · botch · fiasco · flop · glitch · malfunction · oversight · fumble
- hardshipshardship, adversity, struggle, misfortune, difficulties
- setbacksfailing, back to square one, stuck, losing, stumbles
- sympathyI'm sorry, I am sorry, my condolences, how sad, how awful
- fortunelucky, luck, fortune, fate, destiny
- lamentslamentation, wailing, keen, keening, lament
- letdownsletdown, disappointment, anticlimax, dud, flop
tough breaklucky break
Unforeseen favorable occurrence
good fortune · stroke of luck · blessing · windfall · godsend
tough breakcongratulations
Expression of praise for achievement
good for you · way to go · well done · nice going · bravo
tough, untouched, toughness, toughen, tougher, toughie, toughest, toughened, toughening