11 English Phrasal Verbs With 'BREAK'

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11 phrasal verbs with 'BREAK'

Break away

1. Leave an organisation, usually to form a new one
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: The SDP BROKE AWAY from the Labour Party.

Break down

1. End negotiations unsuccessfully
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: The talks between management and the unions BROKE DOWN acrimoniously.
2. Start crying
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: He BROKE DOWN in tears.
3. Stop working
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: My car's BROKEN DOWN, so I came by taxi.
4. Remove a barrier or obstacle
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: He had to BREAK DOWN their opposition to his ideas.

Break for

1. To go or run towards a place, especially when you are trying to escape
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: She had to hold him back as he tried to BREAK FOR the door.

Break in

1. Go into a building to steal something
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: The burglars BROKE IN and stole the TV and video.
2. Interrupt something
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: I'm sorry to BREAK IN on your conversation, but there's a problem.
3. Train a horse to be ridden
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: It took ages to BREAK the horse IN.
4. Carefully use new products until they are fully functional.
   (Separable [optional] | American English)
   
   » Example: I must watch my speed until I BREAK IN my new Volvo.

Break into

1. Start doing something
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: He BROKE INTO a run when he saw the police.
2. Be accepted into a profession or field
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: She's trying to BREAK INTO acting.
3. Start to spend funds, usually out of necessity
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: I had to BREAK INTO my savings to pay off the bills.

Break off

1. Break a piece from something
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: She BROKE OFF a square of chocolate and gave it to her dog.
2. End a relationship
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: She BROKE OFF their engagement when she found out that he'd been unfaithful.

Break out

1. Start (war, conflict)
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: They're worried that war will BREAK OUT.

Break out in

1. Sweat heavily, develop skin sores or irritation.
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: The measles caused me to BREAK OUT IN a rash.

Break out of

1. Escape
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: Three dangerous Category A prisoners BROKE OUT OF Wandsworth Prison last night.

Break through

1. Pass a barrier or obstacle
   (Inseparable | International English)
   
   » Example: The crowd BROKE THROUGH the police barriers and attacked the hunters.

Break up

1. Break into many pieces
   (Separable [optional] | International English)
   
   » Example: The plate BROKE UP when he dropped it on the floor.
2. Close an educational institution for the holidays
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: Schools BREAK UP at the end of June for the summer holidays.
3. Finish a relationship
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: They had been going out for a couple of years before they BROKE UP.
4. Become inaudible over the telephone because of interference
   (Intransitive | International English)
   
   » Example: You're BREAKING UP; I'll call you back in a minute and see if we get a better connection.

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