1break 
/ˈbreɪk/ verb
breaks; broke /ˈbreɪk/ verb /ˈbroʊk/; bro·ken /ˈbroʊkən/; break·ing 1 : to separate (something) into parts or pieces often in a sudden and forceful or violent way [+ obj] ▪ She broke the cup when she dropped it on the floor. ▪ I broke the stick in two/half. = I broke the stick into two pieces. ▪ Break the chocolate bar into pieces so that everyone can have some. ▪ It is easiest to break a chain at its weakest link. [no obj] ▪ The cup broke (into bits/pieces) when it fell on the floor. ▪ A chain will break at its weakest link. 2 : to cause (a bone) to separate into two or more pieces [+ obj] ▪ He fell and broke [=fractured] his collarbone. ▪ He broke his arm in the accident. [=one of the bones in his arm was broken in the accident] ▪ The fall broke his arm. [no obj] ▪ His arm broke in three places when he fell. 3 [no obj] : to open suddenly especially because of pressure from inside
▪ The blister broke. ▪ A bruise forms when a blood vessel breaks under the skin. — see also break open (below) 4 a [+ obj] : to cause (something, such as a machine) to stop working by damaging it
▪ He broke his watch when he dropped it on the floor. ▪ I'm afraid I've broken your phone.
b [no obj] : to stop working because of being damaged
▪ His watch broke when he dropped it on the floor. ▪ The pump recently broke. — see also break down (below) 5 : to split or divide (something) into smaller units or parts [+ obj] ▪ The word “singing” can be broken (up) into the two syllables “sing-” and “-ing.” ▪ They broke the corporation (up) into several smaller companies. [no obj] ▪ The corporation broke (up) into several smaller companies. — see also break into (below) 6 [+ obj] a : to go through or make a hole in (a surface, someone's skin, etc.)
▪ There is no risk of infection if the dog's bite did not break [=puncture] the skin. ▪ A large fish broke the surface of the water.
b : to go through (something) by using force
▪ Use a knife to break the seal. — usually used figuratively ▪ The ceremony is to celebrate people who broke racial barriers in the music industry. — see also break down (below), break through (below)
c : to cut into and turn over the surface of (the ground, soil, etc.)
▪ The farmer uses a plow to break the soil. — see also break ground at 1ground 7 [+ obj] : to fail to do what is required by (a law, a promise, etc.)
▪ She may not have broken the law, but she acted wrongly. ▪ You broke your promise. ▪ Students who break the rules will be punished. ▪ He broke the contract by failing to make the payments on time. ▪ You can get fined for breaking the speed limit. [=for driving faster than you are legally allowed to drive] 8 a : to destroy or defeat (something) by using force or pressure [+ obj] ▪ They kept putting pressure on him, but they couldn't break his spirit/determination/resistance. ▪ They finally broke his will to resist. [no obj] ▪ His spirit/determination will never break.
b [+ obj] : to defeat or ruin (someone) : to cause (someone) to fail or to stop trying or fighting
▪ He swore that he would break his rivals/competitors. ▪ They kept putting pressure on him, but they couldn't break him. ▪ These huge losses are going to break [=ruin] me financially! ▪ This film could make or break her career. [=the success or failure of her career could depend on the success or failure of this film] — see also break down (below), make-or-break
c [no obj] : to lose your health, mental or physical strength, or control — usually + under ▪ The witness broke under questioning. ▪ I was afraid I would break under the strain of constant uncertainty. — see also break down (below)
d [+ obj] : to train (a wild animal) to behave in a way that is useful to people
▪ special equipment used to break horses 9 [+ obj] a : to cause the end of (something that is strong or that has continued for a long time)
▪ A group of moderates from both parties are negotiating to break the deadlock in Congress. ▪ Many people in the industry were very upset when the government broke the strike. ▪ He decided to break all ties/links with them. [=to end all connections with them] ▪ She scored a goal in the last minute of the game, breaking a 2–2 tie. ▪ It's never easy to break [=kick, give up] a bad habit.
b : to cause (someone) to give up a habit — + of ▪ His friends have tried everything to break him of his smoking habit. [=have tried everything to make him stop smoking] 10 [+ obj] a : to interrupt (something)
▪ The peaceful silence of the evening was broken by a sudden shout. ▪ The commotion broke my train of thought. ▪ The sudden noise broke my concentration. [=made it impossible for me to concentrate] ▪ Sometimes I sing while I'm driving, just to break (up) the monotony of my commute. ▪ The horizon line was broken only by a few stands of trees in the distance. ▪ The planes broke formation [=stopped flying together in an organized group] and took off in different directions. — see also break up 4 (below)
b : to cause (something, such as a curse or spell) to no longer be effective
▪ a mystic who claimed to be able to break curses 11 [no obj] : to stop an activity (such as working) for a brief period of time
▪ Let's break for lunch. [=let's take a break for lunch; let's temporarily stop working and eat lunch] 12 a [+ obj] : to tell (bad news) to someone in a kind or gentle way
▪ I know she'll be very upset when she finds out she didn't get the job, so please try to break it to her gently.
b [+ obj] : to make (something, such as news) publicly known for the first time
▪ The local TV station was the first to break the news about the President's visit.
c [no obj] of news : to become publicly known
▪ The story broke yesterday. [=the story was reported for the first time yesterday] ▪ People were shocked when (news of) the scandal first broke. 13 [+ obj] : to reduce the speed or force of (something)
▪ The bushes beneath the window helped to break his fall. [=helped make his fall less forceful] ▪ She walked straight across the room without breaking (her) stride. [=without pausing or slowing down] 14 [+ obj] a : to be higher or more than (a specified number, measurement, etc.)
▪ The temperature is expected to break 90 (degrees Fahrenheit) today.
b : to do better than (a record)
▪ She ran a great race and almost broke the world record. [=she almost ran the race faster than anyone in the world has ever run it] ▪ He set a record that may never be broken.
c : to have a score that is lower than or higher than (a specified total)
▪ golfers trying to break 90 [=to have a score below 90] ▪ bowlers trying to break 200 [=to have a score above 200] 15 [+ obj] a : to find or provide an explanation or solution for (something, such as a criminal case)
▪ The detective finally broke [=solved] the case. ▪ The detective found the evidence that broke the case.
b : to find the meaning of (a secret code)
▪ A team of experts was finally able to break the code and decipher the meaning of the message. 16 [no obj] a of the weather : to change by becoming rainy, clear, cool, etc., after a long time
▪ waiting for the weather to break ▪ The heat wave should finally break [=end] tomorrow.
b of clouds : to separate so that the sky or sun can be seen
▪ The clouds broke and the fog dissipated, revealing blue sky above.
c of a storm : to start suddenly
▪ Everyone ran to get indoors when the storm broke. [=when it began to rain] 17 [no obj] literary : to begin when the sun rises
▪ They left just as day was breaking. [=just as the sun was rising] ▪ The dawn was breaking. — see also daybreak 18 [no obj] a : to begin running quickly
▪ Everyone broke [=dashed, ran] for cover.
b : to stop fighting and run away
▪ When the enemy charged, our troops broke and ran. 19 [+ obj] a : to give smaller bills or coins for (a large bill)
▪ Can you break [=change] a $20 bill for me?
b : to use (a large bill) to pay for something that costs much less than the value of the bill
▪ I didn't want to break a $20 bill just to buy something for a dollar. 20 [no obj] of a wave : to curl over and fall onto or near land
▪ the sound of waves breaking against/over/on the rocks 21 [no obj] a of someone's voice : to change sharply in tone or pitch because of strong emotion
▪ Her voice was breaking with emotion as she said goodbye.
b of a boy's voice : to change from the high voice of a boy to the lower voice of a man
▪ an adolescent boy whose voice is breaking 22 [no obj] sports, of a thrown or struck ball : to turn or curve
▪ The putt broke to the left as it neared the hole. ▪ a pitch that breaks away from the batter ▪ The pitcher threw a breaking ball. [=a pitch that curves] 23 tennis : to win against (an opponent who is serving) [+ obj] ▪ The challenger broke the champion in the final set. = The challenger broke the champion's serve in the final set. [no obj] ▪ The challenger broke in the final set but the champion broke back to even the score. 24 [no obj] : to happen or develop
▪ For the team to succeed, everything has to break right for them. [=for the team to succeed, they have to be lucky] ▪ Things have been breaking [=going] well for the company in the past six months.
▪ The blister broke. ▪ A bruise forms when a blood vessel breaks under the skin. — see also break open (below)
▪ He broke his watch when he dropped it on the floor. ▪ I'm afraid I've broken your phone.
b [no obj] : to stop working because of being damaged
▪ His watch broke when he dropped it on the floor. ▪ The pump recently broke. — see also break down (below)
▪ There is no risk of infection if the dog's bite did not break [=puncture] the skin. ▪ A large fish broke the surface of the water.
b : to go through (something) by using force
▪ Use a knife to break the seal. — usually used figuratively ▪ The ceremony is to celebrate people who broke racial barriers in the music industry. — see also break down (below), break through (below)
c : to cut into and turn over the surface of (the ground, soil, etc.)
▪ The farmer uses a plow to break the soil. — see also break ground at 1ground
▪ She may not have broken the law, but she acted wrongly. ▪ You broke your promise. ▪ Students who break the rules will be punished. ▪ He broke the contract by failing to make the payments on time. ▪ You can get fined for breaking the speed limit. [=for driving faster than you are legally allowed to drive]
b [+ obj] : to defeat or ruin (someone) : to cause (someone) to fail or to stop trying or fighting
▪ He swore that he would break his rivals/competitors. ▪ They kept putting pressure on him, but they couldn't break him. ▪ These huge losses are going to break [=ruin] me financially! ▪ This film could make or break her career. [=the success or failure of her career could depend on the success or failure of this film] — see also break down (below), make-or-break
c [no obj] : to lose your health, mental or physical strength, or control — usually + under ▪ The witness broke under questioning. ▪ I was afraid I would break under the strain of constant uncertainty. — see also break down (below)
d [+ obj] : to train (a wild animal) to behave in a way that is useful to people
▪ special equipment used to break horses
▪ A group of moderates from both parties are negotiating to break the deadlock in Congress. ▪ Many people in the industry were very upset when the government broke the strike. ▪ He decided to break all ties/links with them. [=to end all connections with them] ▪ She scored a goal in the last minute of the game, breaking a 2–2 tie. ▪ It's never easy to break [=kick, give up] a bad habit.
b : to cause (someone) to give up a habit — + of ▪ His friends have tried everything to break him of his smoking habit. [=have tried everything to make him stop smoking]
▪ The peaceful silence of the evening was broken by a sudden shout. ▪ The commotion broke my train of thought. ▪ The sudden noise broke my concentration. [=made it impossible for me to concentrate] ▪ Sometimes I sing while I'm driving, just to break (up) the monotony of my commute. ▪ The horizon line was broken only by a few stands of trees in the distance. ▪ The planes broke formation [=stopped flying together in an organized group] and took off in different directions. — see also break up 4 (below)
b : to cause (something, such as a curse or spell) to no longer be effective
▪ a mystic who claimed to be able to break curses
▪ Let's break for lunch. [=let's take a break for lunch; let's temporarily stop working and eat lunch]
▪ I know she'll be very upset when she finds out she didn't get the job, so please try to break it to her gently.
b [+ obj] : to make (something, such as news) publicly known for the first time
▪ The local TV station was the first to break the news about the President's visit.
c [no obj] of news : to become publicly known
▪ The story broke yesterday. [=the story was reported for the first time yesterday] ▪ People were shocked when (news of) the scandal first broke.
▪ The bushes beneath the window helped to break his fall. [=helped make his fall less forceful] ▪ She walked straight across the room without breaking (her) stride. [=without pausing or slowing down]
▪ The temperature is expected to break 90 (degrees Fahrenheit) today.
b : to do better than (a record)
▪ She ran a great race and almost broke the world record. [=she almost ran the race faster than anyone in the world has ever run it] ▪ He set a record that may never be broken.
c : to have a score that is lower than or higher than (a specified total)
▪ golfers trying to break 90 [=to have a score below 90] ▪ bowlers trying to break 200 [=to have a score above 200]
▪ The detective finally broke [=solved] the case. ▪ The detective found the evidence that broke the case.
b : to find the meaning of (a secret code)
▪ A team of experts was finally able to break the code and decipher the meaning of the message.
▪ waiting for the weather to break ▪ The heat wave should finally break [=end] tomorrow.
b of clouds : to separate so that the sky or sun can be seen
▪ The clouds broke and the fog dissipated, revealing blue sky above.
c of a storm : to start suddenly
▪ Everyone ran to get indoors when the storm broke. [=when it began to rain]
▪ They left just as day was breaking. [=just as the sun was rising] ▪ The dawn was breaking. — see also daybreak
▪ Everyone broke [=dashed, ran] for cover.
b : to stop fighting and run away
▪ When the enemy charged, our troops broke and ran.
▪ Can you break [=change] a $20 bill for me?
b : to use (a large bill) to pay for something that costs much less than the value of the bill
▪ I didn't want to break a $20 bill just to buy something for a dollar.
▪ the sound of waves breaking against/over/on the rocks
▪ Her voice was breaking with emotion as she said goodbye.
b of a boy's voice : to change from the high voice of a boy to the lower voice of a man
▪ an adolescent boy whose voice is breaking
▪ The putt broke to the left as it neared the hole. ▪ a pitch that breaks away from the batter ▪ The pitcher threw a breaking ball. [=a pitch that curves]
▪ For the team to succeed, everything has to break right for them. [=for the team to succeed, they have to be lucky] ▪ Things have been breaking [=going] well for the company in the past six months.
break a leg — see 1leg
break a sweat — see 2sweat
break away [phrasal verb] 1 : to get away from someone or something especially by using force or effort
▪ Large pieces of the rock ledge have broken away. [=broken free] — usually + from ▪ He broke away [=broke free/loose] from his captors and escaped. ▪ She broke away [=pulled away] from the other runners to win the race. — often used figuratively ▪ The company has broken away from the competition. ▪ young people breaking away from traditional values 2 : to separate or become separate from a larger group, country, etc.
▪ Three members of the band broke away and formed their own group. — usually + from ▪ a faction that has broken away from the main political party — see also breakaway
▪ Large pieces of the rock ledge have broken away. [=broken free] — usually + from ▪ He broke away [=broke free/loose] from his captors and escaped. ▪ She broke away [=pulled away] from the other runners to win the race. — often used figuratively ▪ The company has broken away from the competition. ▪ young people breaking away from traditional values
▪ Three members of the band broke away and formed their own group. — usually + from ▪ a faction that has broken away from the main political party — see also breakaway
break bread — see 1bread
break camp — see 1camp
break cover — see 2cover
break down [phrasal verb] 1 a of a machine : to stop working properly
▪ Our car broke down on the highway. ▪ This old motorcycle is constantly breaking down. — see also 1break 4 (above)
b : to fail or stop usually in a complete and sudden way
▪ Negotiations have broken down. [=collapsed] ▪ The government's argument broke down completely when new evidence came to light. ▪ Their marriage had broken down [=failed], and there was nothing to do about it. 2 a : to become overwhelmed by strong emotions
▪ She broke down and started to cry. = She broke down in tears. — see also 1break 8c (above)
b break down or break (someone) down or break down (someone) : to lose or cause (someone) to lose strength or the ability to resist or fight
▪ The prisoner finally broke down under intensive questioning. ▪ She finally broke down and got a cell phone. [=she bought a cell phone after resisting the desire to buy one for a long time] ▪ Intensive questioning finally broke the prisoner down. — see also 1break 8b (above) 3 break down or break (something) down or break down (something) a : to become separated or to separate (something) into simpler substances
▪ The foods you eat break down in the body's digestive system. ▪ The body's digestive system breaks food down. ▪ Water can be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. = Water can break down into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis.
b : to be able to be divided or to divide (something) into parts or groups
▪ The report breaks down into three sections. = The report is broken down into three sections. [=the report has three sections] ▪ The author has broken down the nation's history into three distinct periods. 4 break (something) down or break down (something) : to use force to push (something) to the ground
▪ break a door down ▪ break down a barrier — sometimes used figuratively ▪ They are working to break down legal barriers to integration. — see also breakdown
▪ Our car broke down on the highway. ▪ This old motorcycle is constantly breaking down. — see also 1break 4 (above)
b : to fail or stop usually in a complete and sudden way
▪ Negotiations have broken down. [=collapsed] ▪ The government's argument broke down completely when new evidence came to light. ▪ Their marriage had broken down [=failed], and there was nothing to do about it.
▪ She broke down and started to cry. = She broke down in tears. — see also 1break 8c (above)
b break down or break (someone) down or break down (someone) : to lose or cause (someone) to lose strength or the ability to resist or fight
▪ The prisoner finally broke down under intensive questioning. ▪ She finally broke down and got a cell phone. [=she bought a cell phone after resisting the desire to buy one for a long time] ▪ Intensive questioning finally broke the prisoner down. — see also 1break 8b (above)
▪ The foods you eat break down in the body's digestive system. ▪ The body's digestive system breaks food down. ▪ Water can be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. = Water can break down into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis.
b : to be able to be divided or to divide (something) into parts or groups
▪ The report breaks down into three sections. = The report is broken down into three sections. [=the report has three sections] ▪ The author has broken down the nation's history into three distinct periods.
▪ break a door down ▪ break down a barrier — sometimes used figuratively ▪ They are working to break down legal barriers to integration. — see also breakdown
break even
: to take in as much money as you spend : to operate without either a loss or a profit
▪ After years of losing money the company is starting to break even and hopes to make a profit soon. — see also break-even
▪ After years of losing money the company is starting to break even and hopes to make a profit soon. — see also break-even
break faith with — see faith
break free
: to become able to move or escape by using force or effort
▪ The prisoner struggled to break free. : to get away from someone or something that holds or limits you — often + from or of ▪ She wanted to break free from the constraints of her middle-class life. ▪ an animal struggling to break free of a trap
▪ The prisoner struggled to break free. : to get away from someone or something that holds or limits you — often + from or of ▪ She wanted to break free from the constraints of her middle-class life. ▪ an animal struggling to break free of a trap
break from [phrasal verb]
break from (someone or something) : to end a relationship, connection, or agreement with (someone or something)
▪ She recently broke from [=broke with] the organization she helped found. ▪ breaking from [=breaking with] tradition/stereotypes
▪ She recently broke from [=broke with] the organization she helped found. ▪ breaking from [=breaking with] tradition/stereotypes
break ground — see 1ground
break in [phrasal verb] 1 : to enter a house, building, etc., illegally
▪ Someone tried to break in while we were away. — see also break into 1 (below), break-in 2 : to interrupt or disturb someone or something
▪ I was listening to my favorite radio program when a reporter broke in with news about a storm. ▪ We were having a chat when he rudely broke in (on it). — see also break into 4 (below) 3 break in or break (someone) in or break in (someone) : to start or help (someone) to start a new activity, job, etc.
▪ Baseball was very different when he first broke in [=started playing] as a catcher in 1962. ▪ The job involves a wide variety of tasks, so we try to break new employees in gradually. ▪ The band is breaking in a new backup singer. 4 break (something) in or break in (something) a : to use (something, such as a new pair of shoes) for a period of time so that it becomes comfortable
▪ The shoes were tight when she first got them, so she broke them in by wearing them around the house for a few days.
b : to operate (a new machine) carefully for a period of time until it is ready for regular use
▪ You shouldn't drive a new car too fast while you're breaking it in.
▪ Someone tried to break in while we were away. — see also break into 1 (below), break-in
▪ I was listening to my favorite radio program when a reporter broke in with news about a storm. ▪ We were having a chat when he rudely broke in (on it). — see also break into 4 (below)
▪ Baseball was very different when he first broke in [=started playing] as a catcher in 1962. ▪ The job involves a wide variety of tasks, so we try to break new employees in gradually. ▪ The band is breaking in a new backup singer.
▪ The shoes were tight when she first got them, so she broke them in by wearing them around the house for a few days.
b : to operate (a new machine) carefully for a period of time until it is ready for regular use
▪ You shouldn't drive a new car too fast while you're breaking it in.
break into [phrasal verb]
break into (something) 1 : to enter (a house, building, etc.) illegally and especially by using force
▪ Someone tried to break into our house while we were away. — see also break in 1 (above) 2 : to begin to do or have (something) suddenly
▪ She broke into tears. [=she suddenly began to cry] ▪ The audience broke into applause. [=the audience suddenly began applauding] ▪ His face broke into a smile. [=he suddenly smiled] ▪ The horse broke into a gallop. [=the horse suddenly began to gallop] ▪ She broke into song. [=she suddenly began to sing] 3 : to enter or get started in (something, such as a profession)
▪ I knew her when she was a young actress trying to break into show business. 4 : to interrupt (something)
▪ The network broke into the program with a special news report. — see also break in 2 (above)
▪ Someone tried to break into our house while we were away. — see also break in 1 (above)
▪ She broke into tears. [=she suddenly began to cry] ▪ The audience broke into applause. [=the audience suddenly began applauding] ▪ His face broke into a smile. [=he suddenly smiled] ▪ The horse broke into a gallop. [=the horse suddenly began to gallop] ▪ She broke into song. [=she suddenly began to sing]
▪ I knew her when she was a young actress trying to break into show business.
▪ The network broke into the program with a special news report. — see also break in 2 (above)
break loose 1 : to suddenly become loose : to suddenly stop being attached to something
▪ One of the shutters broke loose during the storm. 2 : to get away from someone or something by using force or effort
▪ The prisoner broke loose [=broke free] and ran away. — often + from ▪ The prisoner broke loose from the guards. ▪ She wants to break loose from the constraints of her middle-class life. — see also all hell breaks loose at hell
▪ One of the shutters broke loose during the storm.
▪ The prisoner broke loose [=broke free] and ran away. — often + from ▪ The prisoner broke loose from the guards. ▪ She wants to break loose from the constraints of her middle-class life. — see also all hell breaks loose at hell
break new ground — see 1ground
break off [phrasal verb] 1 break off or break off (something) or break (something) off or break (something) off (something) : to become separated or cause (something) to become separated because of force or violence
▪ The piece of plaster broke off easily. ▪ The handle broke off when I accidentally dropped the cup. ▪ I accidentally broke the cup's handle off. = I accidentally broke the handle off the cup. ▪ I broke [=tore] a piece of bread off (the loaf) and ate it. 2 break off or break off (something) : to stop or end suddenly or cause (something) to stop or end suddenly
▪ The speaker broke off (speaking) in the middle of a sentence. ▪ At that point the recording suddenly breaks off. [=ends] ▪ The two countries have broken off diplomatic relations. ▪ The negotiations resumed soon after they were broken off. ▪ They had a fight and broke off [=called off] their engagement.
▪ The piece of plaster broke off easily. ▪ The handle broke off when I accidentally dropped the cup. ▪ I accidentally broke the cup's handle off. = I accidentally broke the handle off the cup. ▪ I broke [=tore] a piece of bread off (the loaf) and ate it.
▪ The speaker broke off (speaking) in the middle of a sentence. ▪ At that point the recording suddenly breaks off. [=ends] ▪ The two countries have broken off diplomatic relations. ▪ The negotiations resumed soon after they were broken off. ▪ They had a fight and broke off [=called off] their engagement.
break open [phrasal verb]
break open or break open (something) or break (something) open : to open or to cause (something) to open suddenly
▪ The pods broke open and the seeds scattered on the wind. ▪ The police broke open the door. ▪ The burglars broke open the locked safe. — see also 1break 3 (above)
▪ The pods broke open and the seeds scattered on the wind. ▪ The police broke open the door. ▪ The burglars broke open the locked safe. — see also 1break 3 (above)
break out [phrasal verb] 1 : to begin happening suddenly
▪ A fire broke out in the kitchen. ▪ A riot broke out in the prison. ▪ There is a danger that war could break out soon. 2 a : to suddenly begin to have sweat, a rash, etc., on your skin
▪ He broke out in a sweat. [=he began to sweat] ▪ Eating strawberries makes her break out in hives. = Eating strawberries makes her break out.
b : to appear on the skin suddenly
▪ Sweat broke out on his forehead. ▪ A rash broke out on her skin. 3 : to escape from a prison, jail, etc.
▪ Six prisoners were caught attempting to break out. — often + of ▪ Six prisoners attempted to break out of the jail. — often used figuratively ▪ The team is trying to break out of its slump. [=is trying to end its slump] ▪ We need to break out of the financial rut we're in. 4 break (something) out or break out (something) : to take (something) from the place where it is stored so that it can be used
▪ We broke out the champagne to celebrate our victory. — see also breakout, outbreak
▪ A fire broke out in the kitchen. ▪ A riot broke out in the prison. ▪ There is a danger that war could break out soon.
▪ He broke out in a sweat. [=he began to sweat] ▪ Eating strawberries makes her break out in hives. = Eating strawberries makes her break out.
b : to appear on the skin suddenly
▪ Sweat broke out on his forehead. ▪ A rash broke out on her skin.
▪ Six prisoners were caught attempting to break out. — often + of ▪ Six prisoners attempted to break out of the jail. — often used figuratively ▪ The team is trying to break out of its slump. [=is trying to end its slump] ▪ We need to break out of the financial rut we're in.
▪ We broke out the champagne to celebrate our victory. — see also breakout, outbreak
break rank — see 1rank
break someone's heart — see heart
break step — see 1step
break the back of — see 1back
break the bank — see 1bank
break the ice — see 1ice
break the mold — see 1mold
break through [phrasal verb]
break through or break through (something) 1 : to use force to get through (something, such as a barrier)
▪ The enemy attacked our defenses but they weren't able to break through. ▪ The enemy finally broke through our defenses and defeated us. ▪ The prisoners broke through the wall and escaped. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ The organization is committed to breaking through the barriers of poverty. — see also 1break 6b (above) 2 of the sun : to shine through (clouds)
▪ The sun finally began to break through. = The sun finally began to break through the clouds.
▪ The enemy attacked our defenses but they weren't able to break through. ▪ The enemy finally broke through our defenses and defeated us. ▪ The prisoners broke through the wall and escaped. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ The organization is committed to breaking through the barriers of poverty. — see also 1break 6b (above)
▪ The sun finally began to break through. = The sun finally began to break through the clouds.
break up [phrasal verb] 1 break up or break (something) up or break up (something) a : to separate into parts or pieces or cause (something) to separate into parts or pieces
▪ The asteroid broke up [=disintegrated] when it hit the Earth's atmosphere. ▪ Enzymes help break up protein molecules. ▪ break up a large estate
b : to end or cause (something) to end
▪ The demonstration broke up when the police arrived. ▪ The party began to break up shortly after midnight. ▪ The police broke up the demonstration. ▪ He got hurt while trying to break up a fight. ▪ break up a terrorist organization 2 break up : to end a romantic relationship, marriage, etc.
▪ They dated for years but recently broke up. ▪ I hear that he and his wife have broken up. = I hear that their marriage has broken up. — often + with ▪ He broke up with his girlfriend. 3 break up or break (someone) up US, informal : to begin laughing or cause (someone) to begin laughing suddenly and in a way that is difficult to control
▪ I always break up [=crack up] when I hear that joke. ▪ Everyone broke up [=burst into laughter, busted out laughing] when they saw what he was wearing. ▪ That joke always breaks me up. [=cracks me up] 4 break (something) up or break up (something) a : to change the regular quality or appearance of (something)
▪ break up a dull routine ▪ A chimney breaks up the line of the level roof. ▪ break up a text with pictures — see also 1break 10 (above)
b : to separate the parts of (something) so that it is not complete
▪ The seller was unwilling to break up the dining room set by selling one of the chairs. ▪ The owner broke up the team by trading many of the best players. 5 break up Brit, of a school : to come to the end of a period of instruction (such as a term)
▪ School broke up for the summer last Friday. — see also breakup
▪ The asteroid broke up [=disintegrated] when it hit the Earth's atmosphere. ▪ Enzymes help break up protein molecules. ▪ break up a large estate
b : to end or cause (something) to end
▪ The demonstration broke up when the police arrived. ▪ The party began to break up shortly after midnight. ▪ The police broke up the demonstration. ▪ He got hurt while trying to break up a fight. ▪ break up a terrorist organization
▪ They dated for years but recently broke up. ▪ I hear that he and his wife have broken up. = I hear that their marriage has broken up. — often + with ▪ He broke up with his girlfriend.
▪ I always break up [=crack up] when I hear that joke. ▪ Everyone broke up [=burst into laughter, busted out laughing] when they saw what he was wearing. ▪ That joke always breaks me up. [=cracks me up]
▪ break up a dull routine ▪ A chimney breaks up the line of the level roof. ▪ break up a text with pictures — see also 1break 10 (above)
b : to separate the parts of (something) so that it is not complete
▪ The seller was unwilling to break up the dining room set by selling one of the chairs. ▪ The owner broke up the team by trading many of the best players.
▪ School broke up for the summer last Friday. — see also breakup
break wind — see 1wind
break with [phrasal verb]
break with (someone or something) : to end a relationship, connection, or agreement with (someone or something)
▪ He broke with his former friends and colleagues when he decided to support the conservative candidate. ▪ a strong desire to break with tradition/the past ▪ A number of people have broken with the church over this issue.
▪ He broke with his former friends and colleagues when he decided to support the conservative candidate. ▪ a strong desire to break with tradition/the past ▪ A number of people have broken with the church over this issue.
