break
noun
Definitions of break noun
interruption
- Countable
a pause or interruption in an activity or process.
After a break in the rain, we all went outside.
- Countable
a short period of time during television programs when advertisements are shown.
I’ll make a cup of tea for everyone during the next break.
- A2Countable
a short period of time when you stop doing something to rest, eat, or drink.
We will take another break at half past three.
a short break for coffee
a short break for tea
- Uncountable
a scheduled time for students to relax and socialize during the school day.
We were discussing this during the break.
- B1Countable
a period of time away from work or regular activities; a vacation.
Take two weeks off; you need a break.
How long is the Christmas break this year?
We decided to take a short winter break in Paris.
opportunity
- C2Countable
an unexpected opportunity that can improve a situation or lead to success.
Her big break came when she got a role in a Spielberg film.
damage
- C1Countable
a crack or opening caused by something being broken.
There is a break in the pipe.
end
- Countable
the end of a relationship, connection, or established way of doing something.
Their decision not to name their daughter Jane was a break from family tradition.
pool/snooker
- Countable
in games like snooker or billiards, a sequence of successful shots by a player during one turn.
He achieved his third century break of the tournament.
Phrases of break noun
- make a break
To end a close relationship with someone, especially ceasing to live with them, or to change a long-standing pattern of behavior or action.
• After working at the same company for so long, he decided to make a break and look for new opportunities.
- break of day
The time in the morning when the sun begins to rise.
• We began our long trek at break of day.
- give someone a break
To allow someone a period of rest or respite from their usual work or activities.
• I take care of the children every Friday to give her a break.
- make a break (from/for)
To escape from a place or situation, often suddenly or by using force.
• As soon as he loosened his grip, I made a break for it.
verb
Definitions of break verb
damage
- A2TransitiveIntransitive
to separate suddenly into pieces, or to become damaged and stop working.
I dropped the vase, and it broke into pieces on the floor.
I picked it up, but the handle broke off.
The plate fell to the floor and broke.
end
- B2TransitiveIntransitive
to cause something to end; to come to an end.
The enemy was unable to break the code.
Eventually someone spoke, breaking the silence.
She laughed, which broke the tension.
not obey
- B2Transitive
to fail to keep a law, rule, or promise.
He didn’t know he was breaking the law.
She broke her promise to me.
divide
- TransitiveIntransitiveVerb + adv/prep
to divide or separate into smaller parts or groups.
These enzymes break down food in the stomach.
I asked her to break her expenses down into food, travel, and personal costs.
interrupt
- B1Transitive
to interrupt or 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.
use force
- C2TransitiveIntransitiveVerb + adv/prep
to use force to go somewhere or do something.
He threatened to break the door down.
The horse tried to break free from its stable.
In the storm the boat broke loose from its moorings.
emotion
- TransitiveIntransitive
to lose your confidence or determination; to cause someone to lose their confidence or determination.
They tried to break his will, but he resisted.
He thought she would break under the strain.
become known
- C2TransitiveIntransitive
to become known; to make something become known.
It was the local newspaper that first broke the story.
When the scandal broke, the CEO resigned immediately.
waves
- IntransitiveVerb + adv/prep
(of waves) to reach and move over the beach or hit a cliff or wall.
A huge wave broke against the rocks.
The wave broke over the boat and almost capsized it.
weather
- C2Intransitive
(of the weather) to change suddenly and usually become worse.
The forecast is for the hot weather to break today.
storm
- C2Intransitive
(of a storm) to start suddenly.
We arrived just as a storm was breaking.
voice
- Intransitive
When a boy's voice breaks, it begins to sound like a man's.
His voice broke when he was 13.
- Intransitive
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.
team ball sports
- Intransitive
If a team breaks, it quickly moves the ball from its own half of the field or court into the opposing team's half.
The Blues broke down the left wing, catching Wolves on the back foot.
The key to a good counterattack is to break quickly.
Phrases of break verb
- break a/the record
To surpass a previously established best performance or achievement in terms of speed, time, quantity, or other measurable criteria.
• She broke the world record for the women's 100-meter sprint with an amazing performance.
- dawn/day breaks
The phrase 'dawn' or 'day breaks' refers to the early morning time when the sun begins to emerge in the sky.
• Before the sunrise, the clouds at the horizon were painted golden by the dawn.
- break (serve)
In tennis, to win a game when the opposing player is serving.
• She managed to break her opponent's serve twice in the first set.
Idioms
- break the bank
To cost an excessive amount of money, exceeding one's budget or ability to pay.
• This restaurant is reasonably priced; it won't break the bank.
- break down barriers
To overcome obstacles that prevent understanding and communication between people with differing viewpoints.
• Through cultural exchange programs, we can break down barriers between different communities.
- break the back of something
To complete the most difficult or significant part of a task or project.
• After months of hard work, we've finally broken the back of the project.
- break even
To reach a point in a business venture or activity where there is neither profit nor loss; to cover all costs without making a gain.
• The restaurant barely broke even in its first six months of operation.
- break wind
To expel gas from the digestive system through the anus.
• In the quiet library, someone suddenly broke wind, causing a few giggles.
- break bread
To share a meal together, often implying a communal or social aspect of eating.
• They often break bread together on weekends, sharing food and joy.
- break the ice
To initiate social interaction in a tense or unfamiliar situation, making others feel more comfortable and at ease.
• The host told a joke to break the ice before the meeting started.
- break the mould
To be innovative and different from established norms or conventions.
• This movie breaks the mould of traditional storytelling, offering the audience a completely new experience.
- break cover
To suddenly emerge from a hidden or concealed location.
• The fox broke cover suddenly as the hunters approached.
- break your back
To work extremely hard, often to the point of exhaustion.
• She nearly broke her back to make sure the show went smoothly.
- breaking and entering
The act of unlawfully entering a building, typically by force, with the intent to commit a crime, such as theft.
• The police are investigating the breaking and entering that occurred last night.
- break ranks
To publicly disagree with or criticize a group that one belongs to; to act in opposition to an established group or organization.
• After the union leaders decided to accept the company's new contract, some members chose to break ranks and publicly oppose it.
- break someone's heart
To cause someone profound sadness, typically by rejecting or abandoning them romantically.
• He seems to enjoy breaking the hearts of those girls.
- break it/the news to someone
to inform someone of unpleasant or upsetting news.
• The doctor had to carefully break the news to the patient that they had a serious illness.
- break (fresh/new) ground
To do or discover something new or to make significant progress in an area.
• This research breaks new ground in the field of medicine.
- break it up!
Used to tell people to stop fighting or arguing.
• You two, break it up! Stop fighting now!
- break a leg
A phrase used to wish someone good luck, particularly before a performance or presentation.
• I heard you’re performing tonight, break a leg!
Phrasal Verbs of break
- break out
When something perilous or undesirable suddenly commences.
• The war broke out in several countries, catching everyone off guard.
- break in
to interject during another person's conversation
• She didn't hesitate to break in during their conversation to offer her perspective.
- break away
to escape from or leave someone who is restraining you
• She decided to break away from the toxic relationship and finally escaped from her boyfriend's control.
- break into something
to abruptly start doing something
• She broke into song unexpectedly, surprising everyone.
- break up
When a marriage dissolves or two individuals in a romantic relationship end their partnership, it signifies the conclusion of their union or relationship.
• After months of arguments, they finally decided to break up.
- break down
When a machine or vehicle ceases to function.
• My car broke down on the road, so I had to call for a tow truck.
- break with something
to deliberately discontinue a traditional or expected practice or behavior
• She decided to break with tradition and host her wedding herself.
- break something up
to separate into smaller parts or to partition something into numerous sections
• The team needs to break up into smaller units to improve efficiency.
- break something in
to gradually adapt new shoes or equipment through brief periods of use to enhance comfort
• She wears her new shoes at home every day to break them in for comfort.
- break through something
to push through an obstacle or barrier that is restricting your progress
• He worked hard and eventually broke through the language barrier.
- break someone in
To train an individual for a new position or task.
• The new employee was gradually getting accustomed to the job under the guidance of a senior colleague and was well broken in.
- break (something) off
to detach a part from a larger whole, or to become detached
• He broke off the branch from the tree.
- break in/break into something
to forcibly enter a building or vehicle, typically with the intent of theft.
• The police are investigating a burglary case where the suspect broke into the residence.
- break (something) up
When a gathering concludes or someone causes it to end, and attendees begin to depart.
• As the party was nearing its end, the host of the event started to ask everyone to slowly depart and break up.