break
to (cause something to) separate suddenly or violently into two or more pieces, or to (cause something to) stop working by being damaged
She fell and broke her arm
Oxford Essential Dictionary
verb (breaks, breaking, broke /, has broken )
1 to make something go into smaller pieces, for example by dropping it or hitting it:
He broke the window.
She has broken her arm.
2 to go into smaller pieces, for example by falling or hitting:
I dropped the cup and it broke.
3 to stop working; to damage a machine so that it stops working:
You've broken my watch.
4 to do something that is against the law or against what has been agreed or promised:
People who break the law must be punished.
I never break my promises.
break down
1 If a machine or car breaks down, it stops working:
We were late because our car broke down.
2 If a person breaks down, they start to cry:
He broke down when he heard the news.
break in, break into something to go into a place by breaking a door or window so that you can steal something:
Thieves broke into the house. They broke in through a window.
break off to take away a piece of something by breaking it:
He broke off a piece of chocolate for me.
break out
1 to start suddenly:
A fire broke out last night.
2 to get free from a place like a prison:
Four prisoners broke out of the jail last night.
break up (British) to start the school holidays:
We break up at the end of July.
break up with somebody to end a relationship with somebody:
Susy broke up with her boyfriend last week.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
break
I. break1 S1 W1 /breɪk/ BrE AmE verb (past tense broke /brəʊk $ broʊk/, past participle broken /ˈbrəʊkən $ ˈbroʊ-/)
[Word Family: noun: ↑break, ↑outbreak, ↑breakage; adjective: ↑breakable ≠ ↑unbreakable, ↑broken ≠ ↑unbroken; verb: ↑break]
[Language: Old English; Origin: brecan]
1. SEPARATE INTO PIECES
a) [transitive] if you break something, you make it separate into two or more pieces, for example by hitting it, dropping it, or bending it:
I had to break a window to get into the house.
Don’t lean on the fence like that – you’ll break it!
break something in half/two
He broke the biscuit in half and handed one piece to me.
Break the chocolate into small pieces and melt it over a gentle heat.
b) [intransitive] if something breaks, it separates into two or more pieces:
He kept pulling at the rope until it broke.
The frames are made of plastic and they tend to break quite easily.
2. BONES [transitive] to damage a bone in your body by making it crack or split:
She fell downstairs and broke her hip.
3. MACHINES
a) [transitive] to damage a machine so that it does not work properly:
Don’t mess about with my camera – you’ll break it.
Someone’s broken the TV.
b) [intransitive] if a machine breaks, it stops working properly:
The washing machine’s broken again.
4. RULES/LAWS [transitive] to disobey a rule or law:
They’re breaking the law by employing such young children.
If you break the rules, you will be punished.
The cameras catch motorists who break the speed limit.
5. PROMISE/AGREEMENT [transitive] to not do something that you have promised to do or signed an agreement to do:
I never break my promises.
You betrayed me. You broke your word.
break an agreement/contract
He was worried that he might be breaking his contract.
6. STOP/REST [intransitive] to stop for a short time in order to have a rest or eat something
break for
Shall we break for lunch now?
7. END SOMETHING [transitive] to stop something from continuing:
We need to break the cycle of poverty and crime in the inner cities.
We took turns driving, in order to try and break the monotony.
New talks will begin on Monday in an effort to break the deadlock.
8. DEFEAT SOMEBODY [transitive] to make someone feel that they have been completely defeated and they cannot continue working or living:
Losing his business nearly broke him.
I won’t give in. I won’t be broken by him.
9. DESTROY AN ORGANIZATION [transitive] to damage an organization so badly that it no longer has any power:
The government succeeded in breaking the unions.
10. DAY/DAWN [intransitive] when the day or the ↑dawn breaks, the sky gets light:
Dawn was breaking by the time we arrived home.
11. STORM [intransitive] if a storm breaks, it begins:
We were keen to get back to the hotel before the storm broke.
12. WEATHER [intransitive] if the weather breaks, it suddenly changes and becomes cold or wet:
The following day the weather broke and we had ten days of solid rain.
13. WAVES [intransitive] when waves break, they fall onto the land at the edge of the water:
We sat and watched the waves breaking on the shore
14. SB’S VOICE [intransitive]
a) when a boy’s voice breaks, it becomes lower and starts to sound like a man’s voice:
He was fifteen, and his voice was just beginning to break.
b) if your voice breaks, it does not sound smooth because you are feeling strong emotions:
Her voice broke as she told us what had happened.
15. NEWS
a) [intransitive] if news about an important event breaks, it becomes known:
News of his resignation broke yesterday.
The minister has refused to give any interviews since the scandal broke.
b) [transitive] if you break unpleasant news to someone, you tell it to them:
I didn’t know how I was going to break the news to my mother.
The doctor finally broke it to me that there was no cure.
16. break a habit to stop doing something that you do regularly, especially something that you should not do:
a new drug which helps smokers to break their habit
17. break a record to do something even faster or even better than the previous best time, amount etc:
an attempt to break the 10,000-metres world record
18. break a journey British English to stop somewhere for a short time during a long journey:
We decided to break our journey in Oxford.
19. break sb’s heart to make someone very unhappy by ending a relationship with them or doing something that upsets them a lot:
He broke my heart when he left me.
It’ll break your father’s heart if you tell him you’re giving up college.
20. break a strike to force workers to end a ↑strike:
The government has threatened to bring in the army to break the 10-month-old strike.
21. break a link/tie/connection to end a relationship with a person or organization:
The US has now broken all diplomatic links with the regime.
Sometimes it is necessary to break family ties in order to protect the child.
22. break the skin to cut the skin on your body:
Their teeth are sharp enough to break the skin.
23. break the back of something to finish the main or worst part of something:
I think we’ve broken the back of the job now.
24. break the bank to cost a lot of money, or more money than you have:
A new hard drive doesn’t have to break the bank.
25. break sb’s concentration to interrupt someone and stop them from being able to continue thinking or talking about something:
The slightest sound would break his concentration.
26. break the silence to end a period of silence by talking or making a noise:
The silence was broken by a loud scream.
27. break sb’s spirit to destroy someone’s feeling of determination:
They could not break her spirit.
The spirit of our soldiers will never be broken.
28. break sb’s power to take away someone’s position of power or control:
At last the power of the Church was finally broken.
29. break the ice informal to make people feel more friendly and willing to talk to each other:
Sam’s arrival broke the ice and people began to talk and laugh.
30. break a code to succeed in understanding something that is written in a secret way:
Scientists worked day and night to break the code.
31. break wind to allow gas to escape from your bottom, making a noise and an unpleasant smell
32. break (sb’s) serve to win a game in tennis when your opponent is starting the game by hitting the ball first:
Hewitt broke serve twice in the second set.
33. break a leg spoken used to wish someone luck, especially just before they perform on stage
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 5)
■ break + NOUN
▪ break your promise I’ll never forgive him for breaking his promise to me.
▪ break your word (=break your promise) I’ve promised to do it and I never break my word.
▪ break your vow (=break a serious or formal promise) He accused her of breaking her marriage vows.
▪ break (off) your engagement In the end she decided to break their engagement.
▪ break a contract He took the company to court for breaking the contract.
▪ break an agreement This action broke the international agreement of 1925.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to break something
▪ break verb [transitive] to damage something and make it separate into pieces, for example by dropping it or hitting it: Careful you don’t break the chair. | He broke his leg.
▪ smash verb [transitive] to break something with a lot of force: A policeman smashed his camera.
▪ snap verb [transitive] to break something into two pieces, making a loud noise – used especially about long thin objects: He snapped the sticks in two.
▪ split verb [transitive] to separate something into two pieces along a straight line: Using a sharp knife, split the melon in half.
▪ fracture verb [transitive] to damage a bone, especially so that a line appears on the surface: I fell over and fractured my wrist.
▪ tear /teə $ ter/ verb [transitive] to damage paper or cloth by pulling it so that it separates into pieces: She tore up the letter and put it in the bin. | I tore my jacket.
■ to become broken
▪ break verb [intransitive] to become damaged and separate into pieces: Plastic breaks quite easily.
▪ smash verb [intransitive] to break after being hit with a lot of force: The bowl smashed as it hit the floor.
▪ shatter verb [intransitive] to break into a lot of small pieces: The glass shattered all over the pavement.
▪ crack verb [intransitive] if something cracks, a line appears on the surface, which means that it could later break into separate pieces: The ice was starting to crack.
▪ burst verb [intransitive] if a tyre, balloon, pipe etc bursts, it gets a hole and air or liquid suddenly comes out of it: She blew up the balloon until it burst.
▪ split verb [intransitive] to break in a straight line: The damp had caused the wood to split.
▪ crumble verb [intransitive] to break into a powder or a lot of small pieces: The cork just crumbled in my hand.
break away phrasal verb
1. to leave a group or political party and form another group, usually because of a disagreement:
More than 30 Labour MPs broke away to form a new left-wing party.
break away from
They broke away from the national union and set up their own local organization. ⇨ ↑breakaway2
2. to leave your home, family, or job and become independent
break away from
I felt the need to break away from home.
3. to move away from someone who is holding you:
She started crying and tried to break away.
break away from
She broke away from him and ran to the door.
4. to move away from other people in a race or game:
Radcliffe broke away 200 metres before the finish.
5. to become loose and no longer attached to something:
Part of the plane’s wing had broken away.
break down phrasal verb
1. if a car or machine breaks down, it stops working:
The car broke down just north of Paris.
The printing machines are always breaking down. ⇨ ↑breakdown
2. to fail or stop working in a successful way:
Negotiations broke down after only two days.
I left London when my marriage broke down. ⇨ ↑breakdown
3. break something ↔ down if you break down a door, you hit it so hard that it breaks and falls to the ground:
Police had to break down the door to get into the flat.
4. break something ↔ down to change or remove something that prevents people from working together and having a successful relationship with each other:
Getting young people together will help to break down the barriers between them.
It takes a long time to break down prejudices.
5. if a substance breaks down, or something breaks it down, it changes as a result of a chemical process
break something ↔ down
Food is broken down in the stomach.
Bacteria are added to help break down the sewage.
6. to be unable to stop yourself crying, especially in public:
He broke down and cried.
She broke down in tears when she heard the news.
7. break something ↔ down to separate something into smaller parts so that it is easier to do or understand:
He showed us the whole dance, then broke it down so that we could learn it more easily.
The question can be broken down into two parts.
⇨ ↑breakdown
break for something phrasal verb
to suddenly run towards something, especially in order to escape from someone:
He broke for the door, but the guards got there before he did.
break in phrasal verb
1. to enter a building by using force, in order to steal something:
Thieves broke in and stole £10,000 worth of computer equipment. ⇨ ↑break-in
2. to interrupt someone when they are speaking
break in on
I didn’t want to break in on his telephone conversation.
break in with
Dad would occasionally break in with an amusing comment.
3. break something ↔ in to make new shoes or boots less stiff and more comfortable by wearing them:
I went for a walk to break in my new boots.
4. break somebody in to help a person get used to a certain way of behaving or working:
She’s quite new to the job, so we’re still breaking her in.
5. break something ↔ in to teach a young horse to carry people on its back:
We break the horses in when they’re about two years old.
break into something phrasal verb
1. to enter a building or car by using force, in order to steal something:
Someone broke into my car and stole the radio.
Her house was broken into last week.
2. to become involved in a new job or business activity:
She made an attempt to break into journalism.
It’s a profession that is very hard to break into.
Many British firms have failed in their attempts to break into the American market.
3. to start to spend money that you did not want to spend:
I don’t want to break into my savings unless I have to.
4. break into a run/trot etc to suddenly start running:
He broke into a run as he came round the corner.
5. break into a smile/a song/applause etc to suddenly start smiling, singing etc:
Her face broke into a smile.
The audience broke into loud applause.
break somebody of something phrasal verb
to make someone stop having a bad habit:
Try to break yourself of the habit of eating between meals.
break off phrasal verb
1. to suddenly stop talking:
She started to speak, then broke off while a waitress served us coffee.
He broke off in mid-sentence to shake hands with the new arrivals.
break something ↔ off
I broke off the conversation and answered the phone.
2. break something ↔ off to end a relationship:
She broke off their engagement only a few weeks before they were due to be married.
The US has broken off diplomatic relations with the regime.
3. if something breaks off, or if you break it off, it comes loose and is no longer attached to something else:
One of the car’s wing mirrors had broken off.
break something ↔ off
He broke off a piece of bread.
break out phrasal verb
1. if something unpleasant such as a fire, fight, or war breaks out, it starts to happen:
I was still living in London when the war broke out.
Does everyone know what to do if a fire breaks out?
Fighting broke out between demonstrators and the police. ⇨ ↑outbreak
2. to escape from a prison
break out of
Three men have broken out of a top-security jail. ⇨ ↑breakout
3. to change the way you live because you feel bored
break out of
She felt the need to break out of her daily routine.
4. break out in spots/a rash/a sweat etc if you break out in spots etc, they appear on your skin:
I broke out in a painful rash.
My whole body broke out in a sweat.
break through phrasal verb
1. break through (something) to manage to get past or through something that is in your way:
Several demonstrators broke through the barriers despite warnings from the police.
After hours of fierce fighting, rebels broke through and captured the capital.
2. break through (something) if the sun breaks through, you can see it when you could not see it before because there were clouds:
The sun broke through at around lunch time.
The sun soon broke through the mist.
3. to manage to do something successfully when there is a difficulty that is preventing you:
He’s a very talented young actor who’s just ready to break through.
break through into
It is possible that at this election some of the minority parties might succeed in breaking through into parliament.
⇨ ↑breakthrough
break up phrasal verb
1. if something breaks up, or if you break it up, it breaks into a lot of small pieces:
It seems that the plane just broke up in the air.
break something ↔ up
Use a fork to break up the soil.
2. break something ↔ up to separate something into several smaller parts:
There are plans to break the company up into several smaller independent companies.
You need a few trees and bushes to break up the lawn.
3. break something ↔ up to stop a fight:
Three policemen were needed to break up the fight.
4. break something ↔ up to make people leave a place where they have been meeting or protesting:
Government soldiers broke up the demonstration.
Police moved in to break up the meeting.
5. if a marriage, group of people, or relationship breaks up, the people in it separate and do not live or work together any more:
He lost his job and his marriage broke up.
The couple broke up last year.
Many bands break up because of personality clashes between the musicians.
break up with
Has Sam really broken up with Lucy? ⇨ ↑breakup
6. if a meeting or party breaks up, people start to leave:
The party didn’t break up until after midnight.
The meeting broke up without any agreement.
7. British English when a school breaks up, it closes for a holiday:
School breaks up next week.
break up for
When do you break up for Easter?
8. break somebody up American English informal to make someone laugh by saying or doing something funny:
He breaks me up!
break with somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to leave a group of people or an organization, especially because you have had a disagreement with them:
She had broken with her family years ago.
They broke with the Communist Party and set up a new party.
2. break with tradition/the past to stop following old customs and do something in a completely different way:
Now is the time to break with the past.
His work broke with tradition in many ways.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
break
break [break breaks broke breaking broken] verb, noun [breɪk] [breɪk]
verb (broke [brəʊk] ; [broʊk] broken [ˈbrəʊkən] ; [ˈbroʊkən] )
IN PIECES
1. intransitive, transitive to be damaged and separated into two or more parts, as a result of force; to damage sth in this way
• All the windows broke with the force of the blast.
• The bag broke under the weight of the bottles inside it.
• ~ in/into sth She dropped the plate and it broke into pieces.
• ~ sth to break a cup/window
• She fell off a ladder and broke her arm.
• ~ sth in/into sth He broke the chocolate in two.
STOP WORKING
2. intransitive, transitive to stop working as a result of being damaged; to damage sth and stop it from working
• My watch has broken.
• ~ sth I think I've broken the washing machine.
SKIN
3. transitive ~ sth to cut the surface of the skin and make it bleed
• The dog bit me but didn't break the skin.
LAW/PROMISE
4. transitive ~ sth to do sth that is against the law; to not keep a promise, etc
• to break the law/rules/conditions
• to break an agreement/a contract/a promise/your word
• to break an appointment (= not to come to it)
• He was breaking the speed limit (= travelling faster than the law allows).
STOP FOR SHORT TIME
5. intransitive, transitive to stop doing sth for a while, especially when it is time to eat or have a drink
• ~ (for sth) Let's break for lunch.
• ~ sth a broken night's sleep (= a night during which you often wake up)
• (especially BrE) We broke our journey in Oxford (= stopped in Oxford on the way to the place we were going to).
END STH
6. transitive ~ sth to interrupt sth so that it ends suddenly
• She broke the silence by coughing.
• A tree broke his fall (= stopped him as he was falling).
• The phone rang and broke my train of thought.
• Someone laughed suddenly and the spell was broken.
7. transitive ~ sth to make sth end by using force or strong action
• an attempt to break the year-long siege
• Management has not succeeded in breaking the strike.
8. transitive ~ sth to end a connection with sth or a relationship with sb
• He broke all ties with his parents.
ESCAPE
9. intransitive ~ free (from sb/sth) (of a person or an object) to get away from or out of a position in which they are stuck or trapped
• He finally managed to break free from his attacker.
DESTROY, BE DESTROYED
10. transitive, intransitive ~ (sb/sth) to destroy sth or make sb/sth weaker; to become weak or be destroyed
• to break sb's morale/resistance/resolve/spirit
• The government was determined to break the power of the trade unions.
• The scandal broke him (= ruined his reputation and destroyed his confidence).
• She broke under questioning (= was no longer able to bear it) and confessed to everything.
MAKE SB FEEL BAD
11. transitive ~ sb to make sb feel so sad, lonely, etc. that they cannot live a normal life
• The death of his wife broke him completely.
OF WEATHER
12. intransitive to change suddenly, usually after a period when it has been fine
SHOW OPENING
13. intransitive to show an opening
• The clouds broke and the sun came out.
OF DAY/DAWN/STORM
14. intransitive when the day or dawn or a storm breaks, it begins
• Dawn was breaking when they finally left.
see also daybreak
OF NEWS
15. intransitive if a piece of news breaks, it becomes known
• There was a public outcry when the scandal broke.
• breaking news (= news that is arriving about events that have just happened)
16. transitive ~ it/the news to sb to be the first to tell sb some bad news
• Who's going to break it to her?
• I'm sorry to be the one to break the news to you.
OF VOICE
17. intransitive if sb's voice breaks, it changes its tone because of emotion
• Her voice broke as she told us the dreadful news.
18. intransitive when a boy's voice breaks, it becomes permanently deeper at about the age of 13 or 14
A RECORD
19. transitive ~ a record to do sth better, faster, etc. than anyone has ever done it before
• She had broken the world 100 metres record.
• The movie broke all box-office records.
OF WAVES
20. intransitive when waves break, they fall and are dissolved into foam, usually near land
• the sound of waves breaking on the beach
• The sea was breaking over the wrecked ship.
STH SECRET
21. transitive ~ a code/cipher to find the meaning of sth secret
• to break a code
MONEY
22. transitive ~ sth (especially NAmE) to change a banknote for coins
• Can you break a twenty-dollar bill?
Rem: Idioms containing break are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example break sb's heart is at heart.
Word Origin:
Old English brecan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch breken and German brechen, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin frangere ‘to break’.
Thesaurus:
break verb
1. I, T
• She fell and broke her arm.
crack • • fracture • • snap • • break (sth) up • • smash • • shatter • • splinter •
break/crack/fracture/smash/shatter/splinter a bone
crack/fracture/smash/shatter your skull
break/crack/smash a cup/mirror
a branch/rope/cable breaks/snaps
2. I, T
• My watch has broken.
break down • • go wrong • • fail • • crash • • go down •
a watch/video/DVD player breaks/goes wrong
a washing machine breaks down/goes wrong
a system fails/crashes/goes down
3. T
• Don't break the law by speeding.
formal breach • • infringe • • violate •
Opp: obey
break/breach/infringe a regulation
break/breach/violate a rule/law/treaty
break/violate a ceasefire/truce
4. T
• He wouldn't break a promise, would he?
go back on sth • • backtrack • |informal, especially journalism do a U-turn •
Opp: keep
break/go back on a a promise/your word/an agreement
Collocations:
Injuries
Being injured
have a fall/an injury
receive/suffer/sustain a serious injury/a hairline fracture/(especially BrE) whiplash/a gunshot wound
hurt/injure your ankle/back/leg
damage the brain/an ankle ligament/your liver/the optic nerve/the skin
pull/strain/tear a hamstring/ligament/muscle/tendon
sprain/twist your ankle/wrist
break a bone/your collarbone/your leg/three ribs
fracture/crack your skull
break/chip/knock out/lose a tooth
burst/perforate your eardrum
dislocate your finger/hip/jaw/shoulder
bruise/cut/graze your arm/knee/shoulder
burn/scald yourself/your tongue
bang/bump/hit/ (informal) bash your elbow/head/knee (on/against sth)
Treating injuries
treat sb for burns/a head injury/a stab wound
examine/clean/dress/bandage/treat a bullet wound
repair a damaged/torn ligament/tendon/cartilage
amputate/cut off an arm/a finger/a foot/a leg/a limb
put on/ (formal) apply/take off (especially NAmE) a Band-Aid™/(BrE) a plaster/a bandage
need/require/put in/ (especially BrE) have (out)/ (NAmE) get (out) stitches
put on/rub on/ (formal) apply cream/ointment/lotion
have/receive/undergo (BrE) physiotherapy/(NAmE) physical therapy
Language Bank:
illustrate
Referring to a chart, graph or table
▪ This bar chart illustrates ▪ how many journeys people made on public transport over a three-month period.
▪ This table compares ▪ bus, train, and taxi use between April and June.
▪ The results are shown ▪ in the chart below.
▪ In this pie chart, the survey results are broken down ▪ by age.
▪ This pie chart breaks down ▪ the survey results by age.
As can be seen from ▪ these results, younger people use buses more than older people.
According to ▪ these figures, bus travel accounts for 60% of public transport use.
From ▪ the data in the above graph, it is apparent that ▪ buses are the most widely used form of public transport.
Language Banks at evidence, fall, increase, proportion, surprising
Vocabulary Building:
Words that mean ‘break’
All these verbs, except cut, can be used with or without an object.
Example Bank:
• He broke off abruptly when Jo walked in.
• She broke down in tears as she spoke to reporters.
• She broke off from the conversation to answer the telephone.
• She broke the bar in two and gave a piece to me.
• She broke the chocolate up into small pieces.
• The glass broke into hundreds of pieces.
• Their marriage had broken down irretrievably.
• He broke the chocolate in two and gave me half.
• He was breaking the speed limit.
• How did this dish get broken?
• I didn't mean to break the window.
• I don't know how to break it to him.
• I think I've broken the video.
• I've never broken my word; why should I do it now?
• Just break the news to her gently.
• Perhaps it is more courageous to break a promise if it means saving the economy.
• She dropped the plate and it broke into pieces.
• She had broken the conditions of her bail.
• She has already broken three appointments.
• Some companies have broken sanctions by supplying arms to the warring states.
• They insist that they have not broken any rules.
• Would you be willing to break the law to achieve your goal?
• to break an agreement/a contract
Idioms: break of day ▪ give me a break! ▪ give somebody a break ▪ make a break for for it
Derived: break away ▪ break down ▪ break for something ▪ break in ▪ break into something ▪ break off ▪ break out ▪ break out in something ▪ break somebody in ▪ break something down ▪ break something off ▪ break something up ▪ break through ▪ break through something ▪ break up ▪ break with something
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
break / breɪk / verb [ I or T ] ( broke , broken ) (DAMAGE)
A2 to (cause something to) separate suddenly or violently into two or more pieces, or to (cause something to) stop working by being damaged:
The dish fell to the floor and broke.
Charles is always breaking things.
She fell and broke her arm (= broke the bone in her arm) .
I dropped the vase and it broke into pieces .
I think I've broken your phone.
I picked it up and the handle broke off .
We heard the sound of breaking glass.
break / breɪk / verb ( broke , broken ) (END)
B2 [ I or T ] to destroy or end something, or to come to an end:
Eventually someone spoke, breaking the silence.
She laughed and that broke the tension.
The enemy were unable to break the code (= understand it and so make it useless) .
Outside workers were brought in in an attempt to break (= end) the strike .
break a/the record B2 to do something better than the best known speed, time, number, etc. previously achieved:
She broke the record for the 5,000 metres.
break / breɪk / verb [ T ] ( broke , broken ) (NOT OBEY)
B2 to fail to keep a law, rule, or promise:
He didn't know he was breaking the law (= doing something illegal) .
She broke her promise/word to me (= did not do what she promised she would) .
break / breɪk / verb [ I or T , + adv/prep ] ( broke , broken ) (DIVIDE)
to (cause something to) divide into two or more parts or groups:
These enzymes break down food in the stomach (= cause food to separate into smaller pieces) .
I asked her to break her expenses down into food, travel and personal costs.
break / breɪk / verb [ T ] ( broke , broken ) (INTERRUPT)
B1 to interrupt or to stop something for a short period:
We usually break for lunch at 12.30.
I needed something to break the monotony of my typing job.
The phone rang, breaking my concentration .
UK They decided to break their journey in Singapore.
break / breɪk / verb [ I or T , usually + adv/prep ] ( broke , broken ) (USE FORCE)
C2 to go somewhere or do something by force:
He threatened to break the door down (= enter using force) .
The horse tried to break free from its stable.
In the storm the boat broke loose from its moorings.
The thieves broke the safe open and stole the diamonds.
The police broke up the fight (= ended it forcefully) .
She broke his grip and ran away.
break / breɪk / verb [ I or T ] ( broke , broken ) (EMOTION)
to lose your confidence, determination, or ability to control yourself, or to make someone do this:
He thought she would break under the strain.
They tried to break his will (= make him lose his control) but he resisted.
break / breɪk / verb [ I or T ] ( broke , broken ) (BECOME KNOWN)
C2 to become known or to make something become known:
When the scandal broke (= came to the public's attention) , the company director committed suicide.
It was the local newspaper that first broke the story (= told the public) .
break / breɪk / verb [ I usually + adv/prep ] ( broke , broken ) (WAVES)
(of waves) to reach and move over the beach, hit a cliff or wall, etc.:
A huge wave broke on/against the shore/ over the boat.
break / breɪk / verb ( broke , broken ) (WEATHER)
C2 [ I ] (of the weather) to change suddenly and usually become worse:
The forecast is for the hot weather to break today.
break / breɪk / verb ( broke , broken ) (STORM)
C2 [ I ] (of a storm) to start suddenly:
We arrived just as a storm was breaking.
break / breɪk / verb ( broke , broken ) (DAY)
dawn/day breaks When dawn or day breaks, the sun starts to appear in the sky early in the morning:
Dawn broke over the city.
break / breɪk / verb ( broke , broken ) (VOICE)
[ I ] When a boy's voice breaks it begins to sound like a man's:
His voice broke when he was 13.
[ I ] If someone's voice breaks, it changes because of strong emotions:
Her voice was breaking with emotion as she pleaded for her child's return.
break / breɪk / verb ( broke , broken ) (SPORT)
break serve (in tennis) to win a game in which another player is serving (= hitting the ball first) :
Sampras broke Ivanisevic's serve in the second set.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
break
[bre͟ɪk]
♦
breaks, breaking, broke, broken
1) V-ERG When an object breaks or when you break it, it suddenly separates into two or more pieces, often because it has been hit or dropped.
[V n] He fell through the window, breaking the glass...
The plate broke...
[V n into pl-n] Break the cauliflower into florets...
[V into pl-n] The plane broke into three pieces.
[V-ed] ...bombed-out buildings, surrounded by broken glass and rubble...
[V-ing] The only sound was the crackle of breaking ice.
2) V-ERG If you break a part of your body such as your leg, your arm, or your nose, or if a bone breaks, you are injured because a bone cracks or splits.
[V n] She broke a leg in a skiing accident...
Old bones break easily...
[V-ed] Several people were treated for broken bones.
N-COUNT
Break is also a noun. It has caused a bad break to Gabriella's leg.
3) V-ERG If a surface, cover, or seal breaks or if something breaks it, a hole or tear is made in it, so that a substance can pass through.
[V n] Once you've broken the seal of a bottle there's no way you can put it back together again...
The bandage must be put on when the blister breaks...
[V-ed] Do not use the cream on broken skin.
4) V-ERG When a tool or piece of machinery breaks or when you break it, it is damaged and no longer works.
When the clutch broke, the car was locked into second gear...
[V-ed] Tenants do not have to worry about leaking roofs and broken washing machines. [Also V n]
5) VERB If you break a rule, promise, or agreement, you do something that you should not do according to that rule, promise, or agreement.
[V n] We didn't know we were breaking the law...
[V n] The company has consistently denied it had knowingly broken arms embargoes.
[V-ed] ...broken promises.
6) VERB If you break free or loose, you free yourself from something or escape from it.
[V adj] She broke free by thrusting her elbow into his chest.
[V adj] ...his inability to break free of his marriage.
7) VERB If someone breaks something, especially a difficult or unpleasant situation that has existed for some time, they end it or change it.
[V n] The Home Secretary aims to break the vicious circle between disadvantage and crime...
[V n] New proposals have been put forward to break the deadlock among rival factions...
[V n] The country is heading towards elections which may break the party's long hold on power.
N-COUNT: usu sing
Break is also a noun. Nothing that might lead to a break in the deadlock has been discussed yet.
8) VERB If someone or something breaks a silence, they say something or make a noise after a long period of silence.
[V n] Hugh broke the silence. `Is she always late?' he asked...
[V n] The unearthly silence was broken by a shrill screaming.
9) N-COUNT If there is a break in the cloud or weather, it changes and there is a short period of sunshine or fine weather.
A sudden break in the cloud allowed rescuers to spot Michael Benson.
10) VERB If you break with a group of people or a traditional way of doing things, or you break your connection with them, you stop being involved with that group or stop doing things in that way.
[V with n] In 1959, Akihito broke with imperial tradition by marrying a commoner...
[V from n] They were determined to break from precedent...
[V n with n] They have yet to break the link with the trade unions. [Also V n]
N-COUNT: usu sing
Break is also a noun. Making a completely clean break with the past, the couple got rid of all their old furniture.
11) VERB If you break a habit or if someone breaks you of it, you no longer have that habit.
[V n] If you continue to smoke, keep trying to break the habit...
[V n of n] The professor hoped to break the students of the habit of looking for easy answers.
12) VERB To break someone means to destroy their determination and courage, their success, or their career.
[V n] He never let his jailers break him...
[V n] The newspapers and television can make or break you...
[V-ed] Ken's wife, Vicki, said: `He's a broken man.'
Syn:
destroy
13) VERB If someone breaks for a short period of time, they rest or change from what they are doing for a short period.
They broke for lunch.
14) N-COUNT: oft N from/in n A break is a short period of time when you have a rest or a change from what you are doing, especially if you are working or if you are in a boring or unpleasant situation.
→ See also lunch break, tea break
They may be able to help with childcare so that you can have a break...
I thought a 15 min break from his work would do him good...
She rang Moira during a coffee break.
15) N-COUNT A break is a short holiday.
They are currently taking a short break in Spain.
16) VERB If you break your journey somewhere, you stop there for a short time so that you can have a rest.
[V n] Because of the heat we broke our journey at a small country hotel.
17) VERB To break the force of something such as a blow or fall means to weaken its effect, for example by getting in the way of it.
[V n] He sustained serious neck injuries after he broke someone's fall.
18) VERB When a piece of news breaks, people hear about it from the newspapers, television, or radio.
The news broke that the Prime Minister had resigned...
He resigned from his post as Bishop when the scandal broke.
19) VERB When you break a piece of bad news to someone, you tell it to them as kindly as you can.
[V n] Then Louise broke the news that she was leaving me...
[V n to n] I worried for ages and decided that I had better break it to her.
20) N-COUNT A break is a lucky opportunity that someone gets to achieve something. [INFORMAL]
He went into TV and got his first break playing opposite Sid James in the series 'Citizen James'.
21) VERB If you break a record, you beat the previous record for a particular achievement.
→ See also record-breaking
[V n] Carl Lewis has broken the world record in the 100 metres...
[V n] Jurassic Park has broken all box office records.
22) VERB When day or dawn breaks, it starts to grow light after the night has ended.
→ See also daybreak
They continued the search as dawn broke.
23) VERB When a wave breaks, it passes its highest point and turns downwards, for example when it reaches the shore.
Danny listened to the waves breaking against the shore.
24) VERB If you break a secret code, you work out how to understand it.
[V n] It was feared they could break the Allies' codes.
Syn:
crack
25) VERB If someone's voice breaks when they are speaking, it changes its sound, for example because they are sad or afraid.
Godfrey's voice broke, and halted.
26) VERB When a boy's voice breaks, it becomes deeper and sounds more like a man's voice.
He sings with the strained discomfort of someone whose voice hasn't quite broken.
27) VERB If the weather breaks or a storm breaks, it suddenly becomes rainy or stormy after a period of sunshine.
I've been waiting for the weather to break...
She hoped she'd be able to reach the hotel before the storm broke.
28) VERB In tennis, if you break your opponent's serve, you win a game in which your opponent is serving.
[V n] He broke McEnroe's serve.
N-COUNT
Break is also a noun. A single break of serve settled the first two sets.
29) → See also broke, broken, heartbreak, heartbreaking, heartbroken, outbreak
30) PHRASE: prep PHR The break of day or the break of dawn is the time when it begins to grow light after the night. [LITERARY]
`I,' he finished poetically, `will watch over you to the break of day.'
31) CONVENTION (feelings) You can say `give me a break' to show that you are annoyed by what someone has said or done. [INFORMAL]
`I'm a real intellectual-type guy, Tracy,' James joked. `Oh, give me a break,' Tracy moaned.
32) PHRASE: V inflects If you make a break or make a break for it, you run to escape from something.
The moment had come to make a break or die...
Dan made a break for his car only to find the driver's door locked.
Syn:
make a run for
33) to break the bank → see bank
to break cover → see cover
to break even → see even
to break new ground → see ground
to break someone's heart → see heart
all hell breaks loose → see hell
to break the ice → see ice
to break ranks → see rank
to break wind → see wind
Phrasal Verbs:
- break away
- break down
- break in
- break into
- break off
- break out
- break through
- break up
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
1break /ˈbreɪk/ verb breaks; broke /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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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)
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
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.
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)
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
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.
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 u
