Idiomatic Expressions with 'Break'

Break Phrasal Verbs

• Break away: separate or move away from a group, or escape from captivity (e.g., "The horses were enclosed in a paddock but a few of them managed to break away.")
• Break away from: leave and become independent (e.g., "He broke away from the organisation and set up his own agency.")

Machine/Functionality Issues

• Break down: go out of order or cease to function (e.g., "David's car broke down on the way to the airport.")

Emotional Responses

• Break down: lose control of one's emotions (e.g., "The parents broke down when they heard the bad news.")

Problem-Solving and Analysis

• Break (something) down: divide into small or simpler parts (e.g., "The lesson will be easier to learn if you break it down into small sections.")

Freedom and Escape

• Break free: detach from a physical hold (e.g., "Eva managed to break free from her attacker's grasp.")

Illegal Activities

• Break in: enter by force in order to steal something (e.g., "Bob saw a man outside the house trying to break in.")
• Break into: enter a place by force in order to steal something (e.g., "The burglars broke into the house after midnight.")

Interruptions and Disruptions

• Break in on: interrupt unexpectedly (e.g., "An operator suddenly broke in on our telephone conversation.")

Stopping or Discontinuing

• Break off: stop or discontinue (e.g., "It was decided to break off diplomatic relations with that country.")
• Break off: stop speaking (e.g., "She broke off in the middle of a sentence.")

Escape and Freedom

• Break out: escape from a confined area (e.g., "Three prisoners broke out of jail.")
• Break out: start suddenly (e.g., "Rioting broke out as a result of the strike.")

Physical Actions

• Break through: force a way through something (e.g., "The car broke through the barrier.")
• Break up: separate into small pieces (e.g., "Jack had to use a fork to break up the soil.")

Relationships

• Break up: come to an end (marriage, relationship...) (e.g., "After her marriage broke up Emma went to live in London.")

Changes and Discontinuations

• Break with: discontinue something or do something in a different way (e.g., "He broke with tradition and invented new methods.")