break out of its cocoon

[piousoul]

We watched the butterfly break out of its cocoon.

Are the words in bold correct? Would it be better to say: We watched the butterfly come out of its cocoon?

Thanks.

[Casiopea]

What about, emerge?

[piousoul]

What about, emerge?

"Emerge" is awesome, but I wonder if break out of sounds right or not in this case.

Thanks, Casiopea.

[Casiopea]

Hmm. It depends on how the butterfly came out. Have a look at these below and tell me what you think.

The verb break out has 5 meanings:

Meaning #1: start abruptly
Synonym: erupt


Meaning #2: begin suddenly and sometimes violently


Meaning #3: move away or escape suddenly
Synonyms: break, break away


Meaning #4: take from stowage in preparation for usage


Meaning #5: become raw or open; as of skin eruptions
Synonyms: erupt, recrudesce

Source: Break Out: Information from Answers.com

[piousoul]

I don't think break out of fits in the base sentence in the light of a butterfly's graceful and tender motion.

[Casiopea]

Ok.

[Andrew Whitehead]

Casiopea...'break out' can also mean 'escape from prison'.

The author in this case used 'break out of its cocoon' to give the image of a butterfly escaping from the prison of its cocoon.

[piousoul]

Casiopea...'break out' can also mean 'escape from prison'.

The author in this case used 'break out of its cocoon' to give the image of a butterfly escaping from the prison of its cocoon.

Thanks, Andrew, for your reminder. I was aware of the extra meaning before I posted my question.
Yes, in a sense, it bears the image of a butterfly breaking out of the prison of its cocoon, but it's too strong or powerful a phrase for me.
Personally, I prefer the milder terms emerge or come out of its cocoon.

[BobK]

Casiopea...'break out' can also mean 'escape from prison'.
The author in this case used 'break out of its cocoon' to give the image of a butterfly escaping from the prison of its cocoon.

I agree with Andrew.

Besides, the cocoon is quite strong and it does take a violent effort to break out. Have you ever seen this process piousoul? After the effort of breaking out, the butterfly has to rest and soak up the sun's rays for quite a while.

'Emerge from' is OK, but I see nothing inaccurate or incongruous with 'break out of'.

b

[piousoul]

I agree with Andrew.

Besides, the cocoon is quite strong and it does take a violent effort to break out. Have you ever seen this process piousoul? After the effort of breaking out, the butterfly has to rest and soak up the sun's rays for quite a while.

'Emerge from' is OK, but I see nothing inaccurate or incongruous with 'break out of'.b

Thanks, Bob, for the comment, and I'm getting more and more convinced that break out of fits perfectly well in this case.