break
♦♦♦ break /br'eɪk/ (breaks breaking broke broken)
1 [VERB] V n, V, V n into pl-n, V into pl-n, V-ed, V-ing
When an object breaks or when you break it, it suddenly separates into two or more pieces, often because it has been hit or dropped.
He fell through the window, breaking the glass...
The plate broke...
Break the cauliflower into florets...
The plane broke into three pieces.
...bombed-out buildings, surrounded by broken glass and rubble...
The only sound was the crackle of breaking ice.
2 [VERB] V n, V, V-ed
If you break a part of your body such as your leg, your arm, or your nose, or if a bone breaks, you are injured because a bone cracks or splits.
She broke a leg in a skiing accident...
Old bones break easily...
Several people were treated for broken bones.
[N-COUNT]
Break is also a noun.
It has caused a bad break to Gabriella's leg.
3 [VERB] V n, V, V-ed
If a surface, cover, or seal breaks or if something breaks it, a hole or tear is made in it, so that a substance can pass through.
Once you've broken the seal of a bottle there's no way you can put it back together again...
The bandage must be put on when the blister breaks...
Do not use the cream on broken skin.
4 [VERB] V, V n, also V-ed
When a tool or piece of machinery breaks or when you break it, it is damaged and no longer works.
When the clutch broke, the car was locked into second gear...
The lead biker broke his bike chain.
5 [VERB] V n, V-ed
If you break a rule, promise, or agreement, you do something that you should not do according to that rule, promise, or agreement.
We didn't know we were breaking the law.
...broken promises.
6 [VERB] V adj
If you break free or loose, you free yourself from something or escape from it.
She broke free by thrusting her elbow into his chest.
7 [VERB] V n, V n
If someone breaks something, especially a difficult or unpleasant situation that has existed for some time, they end it or change it.
New proposals have been put forward to break the deadlock among rival factions...
The country is heading towards elections which may break the party's long hold on power.
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Break is also a noun.
Nothing that might lead to a break in the deadlock has been discussed yet.
8 [VERB] V n
If someone or something breaks a silence, they say something or make a noise after a long period of silence.
Hugh broke the silence. `Is she always late?' he asked...
9 [N-COUNT]
If there is a break in the cloud or weather, it changes and there is a short period of sunshine or fine weather.
A sudden break in the cloud allowed rescuers to spot Michael Benson.
10 [VERB] V with n, V from n, V n with n, also V n
If you break with a group of people or a traditional way of doing things, or you break your connection with them, you stop being involved with that group or stop doing things in that way.
In 1959, Akihito broke with imperial tradition by marrying a commoner...
They were determined to break from precedent...
They have yet to break the link with the trade unions.
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Break is also a noun.
Making a completely clean break with the past, the couple got rid of all their old furniture.
11 [VERB] V n, V n of n
If you break a habit or if someone breaks you of it, you no longer have that habit.
If you continue to smoke, keep trying to break the habit...
The professor hoped to break the students of the habit of looking for easy answers.
12 [VERB] V n, V-ed
To break someone means to destroy their determination and courage, their success, or their career.
He never let his jailers break him...
Ken's wife, Vicki, said: `He's a broken man.'
= destroy
13 [VERB] V
If someone breaks for a short period of time, they rest or change from what they are doing for a short period.
They broke for lunch.
14 [N-COUNT] oft N from/in n
A break is a short period of time when you have a rest or a change from what you are doing, especially if you are working or if you are in a boring or unpleasant situation.
They may be able to help with childcare so that you can have a break...
I thought a 15 min break from his work would do him good...
She rang Moira during a coffee break.
see also lunch break, tea break
15 [N-COUNT]
A break is a short holiday.
They are currently taking a short break in Spain.
16 [VERB] V n
If you break your journey somewhere, you stop there for a short time so that you can have a rest.
Because of the heat we broke our journey at a small country hotel.
17 [VERB] V n
To break the force of something such as a blow or fall means to weaken its effect, for example by getting in the way of it.
He sustained serious neck injuries after he broke someone's fall.
18 [VERB] V, V
When a piece of news breaks, people hear about it from the newspapers, television, or radio.
The news broke that the Prime Minister had resigned...
He resigned from his post as Bishop when the scandal broke.
19 [VERB] V n, V n to n
When you break a piece of bad news to someone, you tell it to them, usually in a kind way.
Then Louise broke the news that she was leaving me...
I worried for ages and decided that I had better break it to her.
20 [N-COUNT]
A break is a lucky opportunity that someone gets to achieve something. (INFORMAL)
He went into TV and got his first break playing opposite Sid James in the series `Citizen James'.
21 [VERB] V n
If you break a record, you beat the previous record for a particular achievement.
Jurassic Park had broken all box office records.
see also record-breaking
22 [VERB] V
When day or dawn breaks, it starts to grow light after the night has ended.
They continued the search as dawn broke.
see also daybreak
23 [VERB] V
When a wave breaks, it passes its highest point and turns downwards, for example when it reaches the shore.
Danny listened to the waves breaking against the shore.
24 [VERB] V n
If you break a secret code, you work out how to understand it.
It was feared they could break the Allies' codes.
= crack
25 [VERB] V
If someone's voice breaks when they are speaking, it changes its sound, for example because they are sad or afraid.
Godfrey's voice broke, and halted.
26 [VERB] V
When a boy's voice breaks, it becomes deeper and sounds more like a man's voice.
He sings with the strained discomfort of someone whose voice hasn't quite broken.
27 [VERB] V
If the weather breaks or a storm breaks, it suddenly becomes rainy or stormy after a period of sunshine.
I've been waiting for the weather to break...
28 [VERB] V n
In tennis, if you break your opponent's serve, you win a game in which your opponent is serving.
He broke McEnroe's serve.
[N-COUNT]
Break is also a noun.
A single break of serve settled the first two sets.
29
see also broke, broken, heartbreaking, heartbreaking, heartbroken, outbreak
30 [PHRASE] prep PHR
The break of day or the break of dawn is the time when it begins to grow light after the night. (LITERARY)
`I,' he finished poetically, `will watch over you to the break of day.'
31 [CONVENTION]
You can say `give me a break' to show that you are annoyed by what someone has said or done. (INFORMAL)
`I'm a real intellectual-type guy, Tracy,' James joked. `Oh, give me a break,' Tracy moaned.
32 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you make a break or make a break for it, you run to escape from something.
The moment had come to make a break or die...
33
to break cover: see cover
to break even: see even
to break new ground: see ground
to break someone's heart: see heart
all hell breaks loose: see hell
to break the ice: see ice
to break ranks: see rank
to break wind: see windbreak away
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P from n, V P
If you break away from someone who is trying to hold you or catch you, you free yourself and run away.
I broke away from him and rushed out into the hall...
Willie Hamilton broke away early in the race.
= cut loose
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P from n/-ing
If you break away from something or someone that restricts you or controls you, you succeed in freeing yourself from them.
Aboriginal art has finally gained recognition and broken away from being labelled as `primitive' or `exotic'...break down
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If a machine or a vehicle breaks down, it stops working.
Their car broke down.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P
If a discussion, relationship, or system breaks down, it fails because of a problem or disagreement.
Talks with business leaders broke down last night...
Paola's marriage broke down.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), be V-ed P into n, also V n P into n
To break down something such as an idea or statement means to separate it into smaller parts in order to make it easier to understand or deal with.
The report breaks down the results region by region...
These rules tell us how a sentence is broken down into phrases.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V n P, also V P n (not pron)
When a substance breaks down or when something breaks it down, a biological or chemical process causes it to separate into the substances which make it up.
Over time, the protein in the eggshell breaks down into its constituent amino acids...
The oil is attacked by naturally occurring microbes which break it down.
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If someone breaks down, they lose control of themselves and start crying.
Because he was being so kind and concerned, I broke down and cried...
6 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you break down a door or barrier, you hit it so hard that it falls to the ground.
An unruly mob broke down police barricades and stormed the courtroom...
Firemen were called after his father failed to break the door down.
7 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
To break down barriers or prejudices that separate people or restrict their freedom means to change people's attitudes so that the barriers or prejudices no longer exist.
His early experience enabled him to break down barriers between Scottish Catholics and Protestants.
8
see also breakdown, broken-downbreak in
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If someone, usually a thief, breaks in, they get into a building by force.
Masked robbers broke in and made off with $8,000...
see also break-in
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P on n, V P, V P with quote
If you break in on someone's conversation or activity, you interrupt them.
O'Leary broke in on his thoughts...
Mrs Southern listened keenly, occasionally breaking in with pertinent questions...
`She told you to stay here,' Mike broke in.
= butt in
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you break someone in, you get them used to a new job or situation.
The band are breaking in a new backing vocalist.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you break in something new, you gradually use or wear it for longer and longer periods until it is ready to be used or worn all the time.
When breaking in an engine, you probably should refrain from high speed for the first thousand miles...break into
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If someone breaks into a building, they get into it by force.
There was no one nearby who might see him trying to break into the house...
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V P n
If someone breaks into something they suddenly start doing it. For example if someone breaks into a run they suddenly start running, and if they break into song they suddenly start singing.
The moment she was out of sight she broke into a run...
Then, breaking into a smile, he said, `I brought you something.'
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you break into a profession or area of business, especially one that is difficult to succeed in, you manage to have some success in it.
She finally broke into films after an acclaimed stage career.break off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron), V n P n, also V n P
If part of something breaks off or if you break it off, it comes off or is removed by force.
The two wings of the aircraft broke off on impact...
Grace broke off a large piece of the clay...
They've torn down wooden fences and broken branches off trees.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you break off when you are doing or saying something, you suddenly stop doing it or saying it.
Llewelyn broke off in mid-sentence...
The commander of the German task force radioed that he was breaking off the action.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] pl-n V P n (not pron), V it P with n (non-recip)
If someone breaks off a relationship, they end it.
The two West African states had broken off relations two years ago...
He doesn't seem to have the courage to break it off with her.break out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P
If something such as war, fighting, or disease breaks out, it begins suddenly.
He was 29 when war broke out...
I was in a nightclub in Brixton and a fight broke out.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P of n, also V P
If a prisoner breaks out of a prison, they escape from it.
The two men broke out of their cells and cut through a perimeter fence.
see also breakout
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P of n, V P
If you break out of a dull situation or routine, you manage to change it or escape from it.
It's taken a long time to break out of my own conventional training...
If her marriage becomes too restrictive, she will break out and seek new horizons.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P in n, V P
If you break out in a rash or a sweat, a rash or sweat appears on your skin.
A person who is allergic to cashews may break out in a rash when he consumes these nuts...
A line of sweat broke out on her forehead and she thought she might faint.break through
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V P
If you break through a barrier, you succeed in forcing your way through it.
Protesters tried to break through a police cordon...
About fifteen inmates broke through onto the roof.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n
If you break through, you achieve success even though there are difficulties and obstacles.
There is still scope for new writers to break through...
I broke through the poverty barrier and it was education that did it.
3
see also breakthroughbreak up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron), V n P into n, V n P
When something breaks up or when you break it up, it separates or is divided into several smaller parts.
There was a danger of the ship breaking up completely...
Break up the chocolate and melt it...
He broke the bread up into chunks and gave Meer a big one...
Tanks are strongly built. It is a complicated and difficult process to break them up.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P with n, pl-n V P
If you break up with your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife, your relationship with that person ends.
My girlfriend had broken up with me...
He felt appalled by the whole idea of marriage so we broke up.
= split up
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron)
If a marriage breaks up or if someone breaks it up, the marriage ends and the partners separate.
MPs say they work too hard and that is why so many of their marriages break up...
Fred has given me no good reason for wanting to break up our marriage.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron), V n P
When a meeting or gathering breaks up or when someone breaks it up, it is brought to an end and the people involved in it leave.
A neighbour asked for the music to be turned down and the party broke up...
Police used tear gas to break up a demonstration...
He charged into the crowd. `Break it up,' he shouted.
= disperse
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When a school or the pupils in it break up, the school term ends and the pupils start their holidays. (BRIT)
It's the last week before they break up, and they're doing all kinds of Christmas things.
≠ go back
6 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you say that someone is breaking up when you are speaking to them on a mobile telephone, you mean that you can only hear parts of what they are saying because the signal is interrupted.
The line's gone; I think you're breaking up.
7
see also break-upca|reer break (career breaks)
[N-COUNT]
If someone takes a career break, they stop working in their particular profession for a period of time, with the intention of returning to it later. (BUSINESS)
Many women still take career breaks to bring up children.cof|fee break (coffee breaks)
[N-COUNT]
A coffee break is a short period of time, usually in the morning or afternoon, when you stop working and have a cup of coffee.
It looks like she'll be too busy to stop for a coffee break.com|mer|cial break (commercial breaks)
[N-COUNT]
A commercial break is the interval during a commercial television programme, or between programmes, during which advertisements are shown.lunch break (lunch breaks)
also lunchbreak
[N-COUNT] usu poss N
Your lunch break is the period in the middle of the day when you stop work in order to have a meal.tax break (tax breaks)
[N-COUNT]
If the government gives a tax break to a particular group of people or type of organization, it reduces the amount of tax they have to pay or changes the tax system in a way that benefits them. (mainly AM)
Today they'll consider tax breaks for businesses that create jobs in inner cities.tea break (tea breaks)
[N-COUNT]
If you have a tea break, you stop working and have a cup of tea or coffee. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use coffee break)
1 [VERB] V n, V, V n into pl-n, V into pl-n, V-ed, V-ing
When an object breaks or when you break it, it suddenly separates into two or more pieces, often because it has been hit or dropped.
He fell through the window, breaking the glass...
The plate broke...
Break the cauliflower into florets...
The plane broke into three pieces.
...bombed-out buildings, surrounded by broken glass and rubble...
The only sound was the crackle of breaking ice.
2 [VERB] V n, V, V-ed
If you break a part of your body such as your leg, your arm, or your nose, or if a bone breaks, you are injured because a bone cracks or splits.
She broke a leg in a skiing accident...
Old bones break easily...
Several people were treated for broken bones.
[N-COUNT]
Break is also a noun.
It has caused a bad break to Gabriella's leg.
3 [VERB] V n, V, V-ed
If a surface, cover, or seal breaks or if something breaks it, a hole or tear is made in it, so that a substance can pass through.
Once you've broken the seal of a bottle there's no way you can put it back together again...
The bandage must be put on when the blister breaks...
Do not use the cream on broken skin.
4 [VERB] V, V n, also V-ed
When a tool or piece of machinery breaks or when you break it, it is damaged and no longer works.
When the clutch broke, the car was locked into second gear...
The lead biker broke his bike chain.
5 [VERB] V n, V-ed
If you break a rule, promise, or agreement, you do something that you should not do according to that rule, promise, or agreement.
We didn't know we were breaking the law.
...broken promises.
6 [VERB] V adj
If you break free or loose, you free yourself from something or escape from it.
She broke free by thrusting her elbow into his chest.
7 [VERB] V n, V n
If someone breaks something, especially a difficult or unpleasant situation that has existed for some time, they end it or change it.
New proposals have been put forward to break the deadlock among rival factions...
The country is heading towards elections which may break the party's long hold on power.
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Break is also a noun.
Nothing that might lead to a break in the deadlock has been discussed yet.
8 [VERB] V n
If someone or something breaks a silence, they say something or make a noise after a long period of silence.
Hugh broke the silence. `Is she always late?' he asked...
9 [N-COUNT]
If there is a break in the cloud or weather, it changes and there is a short period of sunshine or fine weather.
A sudden break in the cloud allowed rescuers to spot Michael Benson.
10 [VERB] V with n, V from n, V n with n, also V n
If you break with a group of people or a traditional way of doing things, or you break your connection with them, you stop being involved with that group or stop doing things in that way.
In 1959, Akihito broke with imperial tradition by marrying a commoner...
They were determined to break from precedent...
They have yet to break the link with the trade unions.
[N-COUNT] usu sing
Break is also a noun.
Making a completely clean break with the past, the couple got rid of all their old furniture.
11 [VERB] V n, V n of n
If you break a habit or if someone breaks you of it, you no longer have that habit.
If you continue to smoke, keep trying to break the habit...
The professor hoped to break the students of the habit of looking for easy answers.
12 [VERB] V n, V-ed
To break someone means to destroy their determination and courage, their success, or their career.
He never let his jailers break him...
Ken's wife, Vicki, said: `He's a broken man.'
= destroy
13 [VERB] V
If someone breaks for a short period of time, they rest or change from what they are doing for a short period.
They broke for lunch.
14 [N-COUNT] oft N from/in n
A break is a short period of time when you have a rest or a change from what you are doing, especially if you are working or if you are in a boring or unpleasant situation.
They may be able to help with childcare so that you can have a break...
I thought a 15 min break from his work would do him good...
She rang Moira during a coffee break.
see also lunch break, tea break
15 [N-COUNT]
A break is a short holiday.
They are currently taking a short break in Spain.
16 [VERB] V n
If you break your journey somewhere, you stop there for a short time so that you can have a rest.
Because of the heat we broke our journey at a small country hotel.
17 [VERB] V n
To break the force of something such as a blow or fall means to weaken its effect, for example by getting in the way of it.
He sustained serious neck injuries after he broke someone's fall.
18 [VERB] V, V
When a piece of news breaks, people hear about it from the newspapers, television, or radio.
The news broke that the Prime Minister had resigned...
He resigned from his post as Bishop when the scandal broke.
19 [VERB] V n, V n to n
When you break a piece of bad news to someone, you tell it to them, usually in a kind way.
Then Louise broke the news that she was leaving me...
I worried for ages and decided that I had better break it to her.
20 [N-COUNT]
A break is a lucky opportunity that someone gets to achieve something. (INFORMAL)
He went into TV and got his first break playing opposite Sid James in the series `Citizen James'.
21 [VERB] V n
If you break a record, you beat the previous record for a particular achievement.
Jurassic Park had broken all box office records.
see also record-breaking
22 [VERB] V
When day or dawn breaks, it starts to grow light after the night has ended.
They continued the search as dawn broke.
see also daybreak
23 [VERB] V
When a wave breaks, it passes its highest point and turns downwards, for example when it reaches the shore.
Danny listened to the waves breaking against the shore.
24 [VERB] V n
If you break a secret code, you work out how to understand it.
It was feared they could break the Allies' codes.
= crack
25 [VERB] V
If someone's voice breaks when they are speaking, it changes its sound, for example because they are sad or afraid.
Godfrey's voice broke, and halted.
26 [VERB] V
When a boy's voice breaks, it becomes deeper and sounds more like a man's voice.
He sings with the strained discomfort of someone whose voice hasn't quite broken.
27 [VERB] V
If the weather breaks or a storm breaks, it suddenly becomes rainy or stormy after a period of sunshine.
I've been waiting for the weather to break...
28 [VERB] V n
In tennis, if you break your opponent's serve, you win a game in which your opponent is serving.
He broke McEnroe's serve.
[N-COUNT]
Break is also a noun.
A single break of serve settled the first two sets.
29
see also broke, broken, heartbreaking, heartbreaking, heartbroken, outbreak
30 [PHRASE] prep PHR
The break of day or the break of dawn is the time when it begins to grow light after the night. (LITERARY)
`I,' he finished poetically, `will watch over you to the break of day.'
31 [CONVENTION]
You can say `give me a break' to show that you are annoyed by what someone has said or done. (INFORMAL)
`I'm a real intellectual-type guy, Tracy,' James joked. `Oh, give me a break,' Tracy moaned.
32 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you make a break or make a break for it, you run to escape from something.
The moment had come to make a break or die...
33
to break cover: see cover
to break even: see even
to break new ground: see ground
to break someone's heart: see heart
all hell breaks loose: see hell
to break the ice: see ice
to break ranks: see rank
to break wind: see windbreak away
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P from n, V P
If you break away from someone who is trying to hold you or catch you, you free yourself and run away.
I broke away from him and rushed out into the hall...
Willie Hamilton broke away early in the race.
= cut loose
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P from n/-ing
If you break away from something or someone that restricts you or controls you, you succeed in freeing yourself from them.
Aboriginal art has finally gained recognition and broken away from being labelled as `primitive' or `exotic'...break down
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If a machine or a vehicle breaks down, it stops working.
Their car broke down.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P
If a discussion, relationship, or system breaks down, it fails because of a problem or disagreement.
Talks with business leaders broke down last night...
Paola's marriage broke down.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), be V-ed P into n, also V n P into n
To break down something such as an idea or statement means to separate it into smaller parts in order to make it easier to understand or deal with.
The report breaks down the results region by region...
These rules tell us how a sentence is broken down into phrases.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V n P, also V P n (not pron)
When a substance breaks down or when something breaks it down, a biological or chemical process causes it to separate into the substances which make it up.
Over time, the protein in the eggshell breaks down into its constituent amino acids...
The oil is attacked by naturally occurring microbes which break it down.
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If someone breaks down, they lose control of themselves and start crying.
Because he was being so kind and concerned, I broke down and cried...
6 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you break down a door or barrier, you hit it so hard that it falls to the ground.
An unruly mob broke down police barricades and stormed the courtroom...
Firemen were called after his father failed to break the door down.
7 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
To break down barriers or prejudices that separate people or restrict their freedom means to change people's attitudes so that the barriers or prejudices no longer exist.
His early experience enabled him to break down barriers between Scottish Catholics and Protestants.
8
see also breakdown, broken-downbreak in
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If someone, usually a thief, breaks in, they get into a building by force.
Masked robbers broke in and made off with $8,000...
see also break-in
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P on n, V P, V P with quote
If you break in on someone's conversation or activity, you interrupt them.
O'Leary broke in on his thoughts...
Mrs Southern listened keenly, occasionally breaking in with pertinent questions...
`She told you to stay here,' Mike broke in.
= butt in
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you break someone in, you get them used to a new job or situation.
The band are breaking in a new backing vocalist.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you break in something new, you gradually use or wear it for longer and longer periods until it is ready to be used or worn all the time.
When breaking in an engine, you probably should refrain from high speed for the first thousand miles...break into
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If someone breaks into a building, they get into it by force.
There was no one nearby who might see him trying to break into the house...
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V P n
If someone breaks into something they suddenly start doing it. For example if someone breaks into a run they suddenly start running, and if they break into song they suddenly start singing.
The moment she was out of sight she broke into a run...
Then, breaking into a smile, he said, `I brought you something.'
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you break into a profession or area of business, especially one that is difficult to succeed in, you manage to have some success in it.
She finally broke into films after an acclaimed stage career.break off
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron), V n P n, also V n P
If part of something breaks off or if you break it off, it comes off or is removed by force.
The two wings of the aircraft broke off on impact...
Grace broke off a large piece of the clay...
They've torn down wooden fences and broken branches off trees.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron), also V n P
If you break off when you are doing or saying something, you suddenly stop doing it or saying it.
Llewelyn broke off in mid-sentence...
The commander of the German task force radioed that he was breaking off the action.
3 [PHRASAL VERB] pl-n V P n (not pron), V it P with n (non-recip)
If someone breaks off a relationship, they end it.
The two West African states had broken off relations two years ago...
He doesn't seem to have the courage to break it off with her.break out
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P
If something such as war, fighting, or disease breaks out, it begins suddenly.
He was 29 when war broke out...
I was in a nightclub in Brixton and a fight broke out.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P of n, also V P
If a prisoner breaks out of a prison, they escape from it.
The two men broke out of their cells and cut through a perimeter fence.
see also breakout
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P of n, V P
If you break out of a dull situation or routine, you manage to change it or escape from it.
It's taken a long time to break out of my own conventional training...
If her marriage becomes too restrictive, she will break out and seek new horizons.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P in n, V P
If you break out in a rash or a sweat, a rash or sweat appears on your skin.
A person who is allergic to cashews may break out in a rash when he consumes these nuts...
A line of sweat broke out on her forehead and she thought she might faint.break through
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n, V P
If you break through a barrier, you succeed in forcing your way through it.
Protesters tried to break through a police cordon...
About fifteen inmates broke through onto the roof.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n
If you break through, you achieve success even though there are difficulties and obstacles.
There is still scope for new writers to break through...
I broke through the poverty barrier and it was education that did it.
3
see also breakthroughbreak up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron), V n P into n, V n P
When something breaks up or when you break it up, it separates or is divided into several smaller parts.
There was a danger of the ship breaking up completely...
Break up the chocolate and melt it...
He broke the bread up into chunks and gave Meer a big one...
Tanks are strongly built. It is a complicated and difficult process to break them up.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P with n, pl-n V P
If you break up with your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife, your relationship with that person ends.
My girlfriend had broken up with me...
He felt appalled by the whole idea of marriage so we broke up.
= split up
3 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron)
If a marriage breaks up or if someone breaks it up, the marriage ends and the partners separate.
MPs say they work too hard and that is why so many of their marriages break up...
Fred has given me no good reason for wanting to break up our marriage.
4 [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P n (not pron), V n P
When a meeting or gathering breaks up or when someone breaks it up, it is brought to an end and the people involved in it leave.
A neighbour asked for the music to be turned down and the party broke up...
Police used tear gas to break up a demonstration...
He charged into the crowd. `Break it up,' he shouted.
= disperse
5 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
When a school or the pupils in it break up, the school term ends and the pupils start their holidays. (BRIT)
It's the last week before they break up, and they're doing all kinds of Christmas things.
≠ go back
6 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If you say that someone is breaking up when you are speaking to them on a mobile telephone, you mean that you can only hear parts of what they are saying because the signal is interrupted.
The line's gone; I think you're breaking up.
7
see also break-upca|reer break (career breaks)
[N-COUNT]
If someone takes a career break, they stop working in their particular profession for a period of time, with the intention of returning to it later. (BUSINESS)
Many women still take career breaks to bring up children.cof|fee break (coffee breaks)
[N-COUNT]
A coffee break is a short period of time, usually in the morning or afternoon, when you stop working and have a cup of coffee.
It looks like she'll be too busy to stop for a coffee break.com|mer|cial break (commercial breaks)
[N-COUNT]
A commercial break is the interval during a commercial television programme, or between programmes, during which advertisements are shown.lunch break (lunch breaks)
also lunchbreak
[N-COUNT] usu poss N
Your lunch break is the period in the middle of the day when you stop work in order to have a meal.tax break (tax breaks)
[N-COUNT]
If the government gives a tax break to a particular group of people or type of organization, it reduces the amount of tax they have to pay or changes the tax system in a way that benefits them. (mainly AM)
Today they'll consider tax breaks for businesses that create jobs in inner cities.tea break (tea breaks)
[N-COUNT]
If you have a tea break, you stop working and have a cup of tea or coffee. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use coffee break)