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Phrasal verbs with BREAK

Here we have explanations for 13 phrasal verbs which are based on the verb 'break'

Break down

  • Stop working (for a machine or vehicle)
    Examples:
    • My car broke down on the way to work.
    • The elevator broke down, so we had to take the stairs.
  • Loss of emotional control
    Examples:
    • She broke down after receiving the bad news.
    • He broke down during the speech because it reminded him of his father.

Break in

  • Enter a place by force (illegally)
    Examples:
    • Thieves tried to break in last night.
    • The police caught the man who tried to break in to the shop.
  • Interruption
    Examples:
    • Sorry to break in, but can I say something?
    • I'm sorry to break in on your conversation, but the phone is for you.

Break into

  • Suddenly start doing something
    Examples:
    • He broke into laughter after hearing the joke.
    • The actor broke into song during the interview.
  • Start in a profession or field
    Examples:
    • She's trying to break into the fashion industry.
    • With her innovative business plan, she's hoping to break into the new market.
  • Enter a place by force (illegally)
    Examples:
    • Someone tried to break into the office.
    • Burglars broke into their house yesterday.

Break off

  • Suddenly end a relationship or agreement
    Examples:
    • She broke off her friendship with him.
    • They broke off their marriage last month.
  • Separate a piece from something by breaking it
    Examples:
    • She broke off a piece of chocolate and gave it to me.
    • The climber broke off a small piece of rock by mistake.

Break through

  • Overcome a barrier or obstacle
    Examples:
    • She finally broke through her fear of speaking in public.
    • Protesters tried to break through the police barrier.

Break up

  • End a romantic relationship
    Examples:
    • They broke up after dating for two years.
    • Why did you break up with your boyfriend?
  • Separate something into pieces
    Examples:
    • The big rock broke up into small pieces.
    • We need to break up the large log before we can put it in the fire.
  • Lose a phone connection
    Examples:
    • The connection is terrible out here and I keep breaking up.
    • Can you repeat that? You broke up right as you were saying it.

Break away

  • Leave a group or person
    Examples:
    • The horse broke away from its owner.
    • Some countries want to break away from the union.

Break even

  • Have no profit and no loss
    Examples:
    • After selling all the tickets, we only broke even.
    • The company didn't make money, but at least it broke even.

Break with

  • End a connection or tradition
    Examples:
    • The singer decided to break with her manager.
    • The politician broke with the old traditions.

Break for

  • Run or move quickly toward something
    Examples:
    • The player tried to break for the end zone, but was tackled.
    • When the bell rang, the students all broke for the door to get to lunch.

Break out

  • Escape from a place
    Examples:
    • Three prisoners tried to break out of jail.
    • The criminals planned to break out last night.
  • Start suddenly
    Examples:
    • A fire broke out in the kitchen.
    • Fighting broke out between the two rival groups.

Break out in

  • When your skin suddenly shows spots, rash, or sweat
    Examples:
    • He broke out in a sweat before the exam.
    • I always break out in a rash when I eat seafood.

Break out of

  • Escape from a place or situation
    Examples:
    • She wanted to break out of her boring routine.
    • It's hard to break out of the habit of biting your nails.

Exercises for practice

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