9 Phrasal Verbs with Break in English

Last updated on November 14, 2024 by Isabella Claire

Phrasal verbs are an essential part of everyday English conversation, and one of the most commonly used is “break”. They can be tricky to understand, especially for non-native speakers. In this reference, you will explore different meanings and uses of phrasal verbs with “break”. You’ll find helpful explanations and examples of expressions like “break up,” “break down,” “break away,” and more. This will aid you in using these phrases correctly in your own conversations.

List of Phrasal Verbs with BREAK

9 Phrasal Verbs with Break in English
Phrasal Verbs with BREAK – Created by 7ESL
  • Break away
  • Break down
  • Break even
  • Break in
  • Break off
  • Break into
  • Break out
  • Break through
  • Break up

Phrasal Verbs with BREAK: Meaning and Examples

Break away, Break down 

Break away

  • Meaning: To separate or disconnect oneself from a group, organization, or relationship, often in a sudden or unexpected manner
  • Example: I break away from the group when I need some alone time.

Break away

  • Meaning: To become disconnected or separated, either physically or figuratively. This can refer to breaking free from a physical restraint or to a group or organization breaking apart or separating into smaller groups
  • Example: Will she break away from her comfort zone and take on a new challenge?

Break down

  • Meaning: To stop working or functioning properly, often due to a mechanical or technical failure
  • Example: I hope the car doesn’t break away during our road trip.

Break down

  • Meaning: To become unstable or to collapse, either physically or mentally, often due to stress or pressure
  • Example: She broke down in tears after the argument.

Break down

  • Meaning: To become weak or ineffective, often due to a lack of resources or support
  • Example: The system is breaking down due to the overload.

Break down

  • Meaning: To decompose or decay, often due to natural processes or the passage of time
  • Example: The bacteria in the soil broke down the dead plant material.

Break down

  • Meaning: To divide something into smaller parts or components in order to provide a more detailed analysis or understanding of it
  • Example: The teacher couldn’t break down the complex concept in a way that was understandable to the students.

Break down

  • Meaning: To break down food into smaller components through the process of digestion, often in order to extract nutrients and energy from it
  • Example: The smoothie contains ingredients that are easy to break down for digestion.

Break even, Break in 

Break even

  • Meaning: To have an outcome in which the amount of money gained or earned is equal to the amount of money spent or lost, resulting in no net gain or loss
  • Example: The business is breaking even despite the pandemic.

Break even

  • Meaning: To reach a point where you are neither making a profit nor a loss, and your situation is stable without any progress or regression
  • Example: They have broken even in terms of sales this quarter.

Break in

  • Meaning: To illegally enter a place by using force or without permission
  • Example: The burglars are trying to break in through the window

Break in

  • Meaning: To make something function more naturally by using or wearing it over time
  • Example: These jeans will feel better once you break them in.

Break off, Break into 

Break off

  • Meaning: To end a relationship or connection with someone or something, often suddenly or unexpectedly
  • Example: She decided to break off the engagement.

Break off

  • Meaning: To temporarily stop or pause an activity or process, often in order to address an issue or take a break
  • Example: Let’s break off for lunch and resume the meeting in an hour.

Break off

  • Meaning: To become separated from something, usually abruptly or suddenly
  • Example: The button didn’t break off when I washed the shirt.

Break into

  • Meaning: To enter a place or building illegally or by force, often with the intention of committing a crime or theft
  • Example: If someone tries to break into your car, the alarm will sound.

Break into

  • Meaning: To start using or accessing something, often for the first time or after a period of time
  • Example: Let’s break into the new bottle of wine and celebrate.

Break into

  • Meaning: To successfully enter or become established in a profession or business, often after facing significant challenges or obstacles
  • Example: She’s hoping to break into the music industry with her new album.

Break into

  • Meaning: To start to do something suddenly or unexpectedly, often without prior planning or preparation
  • Example: When I told her the news, she broke into tears.

Break out, Break through 

Break out

  • Meaning: To escape or leave a place suddenly or forcefully, often in a defiant or rebellious manner
  • Example: The prisoners were able to break out of the jail by digging a tunnel

Break out

  • Meaning: To suddenly begin or emerge, often in a noticeable or unexpected way
  • Example: If you don’t take care of your skin, it could break out in acne.

Break through

  • Meaning: To force a way through something solid or difficult, often with great effort or determination
  • Example: They failed to break through the metal door with the tools they had.

Break through

  • Meaning: To make significant progress or achieve a major breakthrough in a particular field or area of study, often through the discovery of new information or ideas
  • Example: The scientists were able to break through a major barrier in cancer research.

Break up 

Break up

  • Meaning: To separate or split into smaller pieces or components, often due to force or pressure
  • Example: The rock is too hard to break up with a hammer.

Break up

  • Meaning: To end a romantic relationship, often permanently and sometimes in a difficult or unpleasant manner
  • Example: They are happy to break up with their toxic friends.

Break up

  • Meaning: To dissolve or disband a group or organization, often due to internal conflicts or external pressures
  • Example: The company broke up its monopoly to comply with antitrust laws.

Break up

  • Meaning: To intervene in a physical altercation or fight in order to separate or stop the participants, often in a peaceful or diplomatic manner
  • Example: The teacher steps in to break up the argument between two students.

Phrasal Verbs with Break | Video

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