fast break
noun
: a quick offensive drive toward a goal (as in basketball) in an attempt to score before the opponent's defense is set up
fast-break
ˈfas(t)-ˌbrāk 
intransitive verb 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The 34-year-old forward suffered the noncontact injury on a fast break in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter of his team’s 91-84 win in Brescia, Italy, and was helped off the court. 
Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Aug. 2022 On a second-half fast break, Kentucky took a 73-42 lead over the Dominicans thanks to a 360-degree dunk from Jacob Toppin. The Courier-Journal, 11 Aug. 2022 Then again, who wouldn’t fancy a 6-foot-11 left-hander who can snatch a rebound, create his own fast break and either pull up for a 3-pointer, deliver a precise pass or drive for a dunk? New York Times, 6 July 2022 The Sun lead the WNBA in opponent turnovers per game (19.2), steals per game (10.2), fast break points per game (18.0) and points off turnovers per game (24.5) this season. Lila Bromberg, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2022 Gonzaga somehow turned the ensuing possession into a fast break, as Nembhard’s long pass found Rasir Bolton for a layup. Steve Kroner, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2022 Defenseman James Azbill, who will play at Towson University next year, scored the first goal of the game off a nifty assist from Newman after a fast break and clear by goalie Brian Ruppel (7 saves), a University of Maryland recruit. Craig Clary, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2022 Holmgren met the four-time champion during a fast break underneath the basket, and collided with the 37-year-old Lakers star. Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 25 Aug. 2022 McKinney believes in fast break offense — a strategy that entails pushing the ball as quickly as possible across the floor after regaining possession. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 27 Mar. 2022 See More
Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Aug. 2022 On a second-half fast break, Kentucky took a 73-42 lead over the Dominicans thanks to a 360-degree dunk from Jacob Toppin. The Courier-Journal, 11 Aug. 2022 Then again, who wouldn’t fancy a 6-foot-11 left-hander who can snatch a rebound, create his own fast break and either pull up for a 3-pointer, deliver a precise pass or drive for a dunk? New York Times, 6 July 2022 The Sun lead the WNBA in opponent turnovers per game (19.2), steals per game (10.2), fast break points per game (18.0) and points off turnovers per game (24.5) this season. Lila Bromberg, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2022 Gonzaga somehow turned the ensuing possession into a fast break, as Nembhard’s long pass found Rasir Bolton for a layup. Steve Kroner, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2022 Defenseman James Azbill, who will play at Towson University next year, scored the first goal of the game off a nifty assist from Newman after a fast break and clear by goalie Brian Ruppel (7 saves), a University of Maryland recruit. Craig Clary, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2022 Holmgren met the four-time champion during a fast break underneath the basket, and collided with the 37-year-old Lakers star. Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 25 Aug. 2022 McKinney believes in fast break offense — a strategy that entails pushing the ball as quickly as possible across the floor after regaining possession. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 27 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1929, in the meaning defined above