Phrasal Verbs With 'Break'

Break away phrasal verb

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

Break down phrasal verb

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

Break for phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: 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 phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Go into a building to steal something
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: The burglars BROKE IN and stole the TV and video.
  2. Meaning: Interrupt something
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: I'm sorry to BREAK IN on your conversation, but there's a problem.
  3. Meaning: Train a horse to be ridden
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: It took ages to BREAK the horse IN.
  4. Meaning: 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 phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Start doing something
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: He BROKE INTO a run when he saw the police.
  2. Meaning: Be accepted into a profession or field
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: She's trying to BREAK INTO acting.
  3. Meaning: 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 phrasal verb

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

Break out phrasal verb

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

Break out in phrasal verb

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

Break out of phrasal verb

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

Break through phrasal verb

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

Break up phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Break into many pieces
    (Separable [optional] | International English)
    » Example: The plate BROKE UP when he dropped it on the floor.
  2. Meaning: Close an educational institution for the holidays
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: Schools BREAK UP at the end of June for the summer holidays.
  3. Meaning: Finish a relationship
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: They had been going out for a couple of years before they BROKE UP.
  4. Meaning: 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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