What does "give me a break" mean?

An expression of disbelief, exasperation, or frustration - rejecting something as ridiculous or unfair.

"Give me a break - that can't be true." (disbelief)
"They want me to redo the whole thing? Give me a break!" (exasperation)
"Oh, give me a break - you knew exactly what you were doing." (scepticism)

Frustrated, exasperated, or sceptical. It's a pushback - you're rejecting what someone just said or did as unreasonable.

"Give me a break" can also be literal - please let me rest or have a pause - but context usually makes the idiomatic meaning clear.

"I've been working for six hours. Give me a break." - could be literal (let me rest)
"You're charging how much? Give me a break." - definitely idiomatic (that's ridiculous)

• "Come on" - similar dismissal
• "Oh, please" - sceptical rejection
• "Seriously?" - American, expressing disbelief
• "You're having a laugh" - British equivalent (see separate entry)
• "Get out of here" - American informal disbelief

Casual. Not suitable for formal contexts - use "I'm sceptical about that" or "I find that hard to accept."