tough break

English

Noun

tough break (uncountable)

1. (idiomatic) A situation resulting in misfortune or hardship; an instance of bad luck.
   • 1998, Cal Ripken, Mike Bryan, The Only Way I Know, Penguin Publishing Group, page 389:

     So I close by saying that I might have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for.

   • 2014, Frederick Nebel, Will Murray, Tough as Nails, Head of Zeus, page 30:

     When you pulled that job in Westchester two years ago, I'll admit you got a tough break.

Interjection

tough break

1. (idiomatic) An interjection of mild or insincere sympathy for someone else's misfortune.
   • 1966, Charles Dizenzo, A Great Career, Dramatists Play Service, page 16:

     Tough break, Linda.

   • 1990, Rickley S. Christian, Alive 2, Campus Life Books, page 120:

     My reaction? Tough break, chump.

Synonyms

• bad luck
• hard cheese
• hard lines
• hard luck
• tough cookies
• tough luck
• tough shit
• tough titties
• tough titty
• tough toodles
• tough tuchus