A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

get a break • have a break
get a break —
1
. take time off from an activity: It was hard
for me because whenever I got a break from school, I had to
leave and see my other parent. 2. (coll.) get a good deal in a
transaction, etc.: Our customers usually expect to get a break
when they buy in quantity. 3. (coll.) get an opportunity or
special consideration: He talked about racism and about how
hard it is to get a break when you are Black. Cf.: get all the
breaks — be fortunate; have luck: That fellow gets all the breaks!
He’s been working here only six months, and he’s already been
promoted to vice president!
have a break — = get a break 
1
: Finally, I told him I’d inter-
view him over lunch, when he had a break.
get a bump • make a bump
get a bump —
1
. get a swelling on one’s body as a result of a
blow: My poor dad hit the branch with his head and got a
bump and a cut. 2. (of a vehicle) be hit by another vehicle,
etc.: Her car got three severe bumps while parked in London.
make a bump —(UK Universities boat races) “bump” another
boat as a proof of overtaking it: The best coxswain cannot
make a bump, unless his boat can overlap the other!
get a call • get one’s call
get a call —receive a message by radio or telephone; be sum-
moned: As soon as I got the call, I was in the car and on my
way.
get one’s call —(euph.) feel impending death: His breath
labored, and there was pain in his eyes. “I’ve got my call,” he
said faintly.
get a duck • get the bird
get a duck—(Sport) fail to score (also: get a duck’s egg ): Life
is very much like cricket: Some get scores and some “a duck.”
get the bird —
1
. (Theater) be hissed by the audience: You
should have been there when Caballe got the bird —
deservedly, I fear. 2. (coll.) be dismissed from employment:
When you were ill, I stole for you. I got the bird for it.
See also: give someone the bird / have a bird.