UsingEnglish.com

11 English Phrasal Verbs With 'BREAK'

What's covered on this page

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.

Take our Exercise on 'BREAK'

Quiz for Verb: 'To BREAK'

Choose the correct definition for each phrasal verb...

'Break off' means...

'Break in' means...

'Break out in' means...

'Break in' means...

'Break out of' means...

'Break up' means...

'Break into' means...

'Break up' means...

'Break up' means...

'Break into' means...

 

Trustpilot