break1 verbbreak2 noun
breakbreak1 /breɪk/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense broke /brəʊk $ broʊk/, past participle broken /ˈbrəʊkən $ ˈbroʊ-/) 
WORD ORIGINbreak1
Origin:
Old English brecanVERB TABLE
break
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | break |
| he, she, it | breaks | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | broke |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have broken |
| he, she, it | has broken | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had broken |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will break |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have broken |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am breaking |
| he, she, it | is breaking | |
| you, we, they | are breaking | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was breaking |
| you, we, they | were breaking | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been breaking |
| he, she, it | has been breaking | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been breaking |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be breaking |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been breaking |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Careful, those glasses break easily.
- Do not use this product if the seal has been broken.
- Farmers are anxious for the cold weather to break.
- He once broke a window of his grandfather's greenhouse with a football.
- Her voice breaks as she talks about her missing children.
- How did you manage to break the microwave?
- I'll let you break next game.
- I broke my leg last time I went skiing.
- I broke one of her platters once, and I swear she's never forgiven me.
- I don't know what she did, but she managed to break the sewing machine.
- I think I was about 14 when my voice broke.
- I think the switch is broken.
- If you break it you'll have to pay for it out of your allowance.
- It just broke. I didn't even touch it!
- It was such bad luck - it was our first time skiing and Nicola broke her leg.
- Leave that clock alone - you'll break it!
- My watchband has broken.
- One of the kids put some rocks in the blender and broke it.
- She dropped a plate and it broke.
- She fell off her bike and broke her glasses.
- Britain stood for political ideals that must prevail if western civilization were not to break down.
- From time to time he broke off his labours to return to the great court to look out for Tutilo returning.
- His nose was broken in two places by a player he had sent off for violent play.
- I saw him thrown into the shattered windshield, bounced around inside the Volvo, his face slashed and his bones broken.
- I was trying to ease the wagon down a short slope when it broke loose and almost broke my leg.
- Only once did Norwich break their stranglehold, midway through the first-half, when John Polston moved up to rattle a post.
THESAURUSto break something
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.
verb [transitive] to break something with a lot of force: · A policeman smashed his camera.
verb [transitive] to break something into two pieces, making a loud noise – used especially about long thin objects: · He snapped the sticks in two.
verb [transitive] to separate something into two pieces along a straight line: · Using a sharp knife, split the melon in half.
verb [transitive] to damage a bone, especially so that a line appears on the surface: · I fell over and fractured my wrist.
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 verb [intransitive] to become damaged and separate into pieces: · Plastic breaks quite easily.
verb [intransitive] to break after being hit with a lot of force: · The bowl smashed as it hit the floor.
verb [intransitive] to break into a lot of small pieces: · The glass shattered all over the pavement.
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.
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.
verb [intransitive] to break in a straight line: · The damp had caused the wood to split.
verb [intransitive] to break into a powder or a lot of small pieces: · The cork just crumbled in my hand.
Longman Language Activatorto break something into pieces to break something, either accidentally or deliberately: · She fell off her bike and broke her glasses.· If you break it you'll have to pay for it out of your allowance.· I broke one of her platters once, and I swear she's never forgiven me.· He once broke a window of his grandfather's greenhouse with a football.
spoken informal to break something: · The ball hit him in the face and bust his glasses.· He busted the side window with a bat.bust something up/bust up something: · Dean got really drunk and started busting up the bar.bust something down/bust down something: · The police had to bust down the door.
to break or damage something so that cracks appear in its surface: · A stone hit the windshield and cracked it.· I cracked one of the wine glasses when I was washing it.· The earthquake cracked walls and driveways and knocked out electricity and communications.
to break into pieces · She dropped a plate and it broke.· My watchband has broken.· The ice broke and they both fell through.· The cam belt broke and ruined the engine.
if something gets broken , someone breaks it accidentally: · If you leave your toys on the floor, they'll get broken.· A few of the cups got broken while we were moving house.· When her grandchildren visit, she puts away anything she doesn't want to get broken.
if something cracks , it breaks slightly so that lines appear in its surface: · The bell cracked after many years of use.· A few windows cracked from the heat during the fire.· The pipeline had cracked a long time before the oil spill occurred.
if something such as a floor, wall, or bridge gives way , it finally breaks because there is a lot of pressure or weight on it: · He was changing a light bulb when the ladder gave way.· The crowd surged forward and the fence gave way.· The whole side of the hill gave way after a week of heavy rain.
informal if something busts , it breaks: · The toy is made of a balloon in a cloth sack that can be hit without busting.bust open (=break in such a way that what is inside can come out): · His suitcase busted open, and everything went all over the floor in the hotel lobby.
to break something into two pieces to break something into two, fairly equal pieces: · The explosion broke the ship in two.· David broke the chocolate bar in half and gave a piece to Sue.
to break something, usually a long thin object, so that it makes a sudden, short loud noise: · He hit a rock and snapped the truck's axle.· High winds snapped power lines in the city, leaving more than 9000 people without power.snap something in two/in half: · He accidentally snapped his putter in half during one tournament.snap off: · The tip of the tree snapped off when it fell.
to break something such as wood into two parts along a straight line: · She learned to split logs and stack a woodpile.split something in two/in half: · Split the leek in half lengthwise, and cut it into 1/4-inch pieces.
to break into two pieces · The ship broke in two when it ran aground, and 900 tons of fuel oil leaked out.· When I pulled at the board, it broke in two and fell down.
if something snaps , especially something long and thin, it breaks into two pieces making a short loud noise: · A twig snapped under his foot.· Power lines snapped in the high winds.· One of the strings on my guitar snapped when I was tuning it.snap off: · The tip of the Christmas tree snapped off when it fell.
if wood, bone etc splits , it breaks into two parts along a straight line: · The window frames are old and the wood is starting to split.· When it crashed, the plane's fuselage split behind the wings.split in two/half: · The back of the chair had split in two.split open (=split so that there is a hole): · A metal tube split open in the steam generator of the nuclear power plant.
to break something into a lot of pieces to break something into a lot of small pieces, especially in a violent way, by dropping, throwing, or hitting it: · Firefighters smashed a bedroom window and rescued a two-year-old girl.· Her camera was smashed by soldiers when she tried to take photographs.smash something to pieces/to bits: · The boat hit the rocks and was smashed to pieces by the waves.
to break something, especially glass, into a lot of very small pieces: · The explosion shattered office windows 500 metres away.· Protesters shattered a glass door and tossed red dye around the entrance.
to break something, especially food, into very small pieces: · Beat the eggs, crumble the cheese, and mix together.· Mrs. Suggs crumbled the bread into hot milk.
to break into a lot of pieces · One of the mugs rolled off the table and broke into bits on the stone floor.· Investigators are not sure what caused the plane to break into pieces and plunge into the ocean.
if a large object breaks up , it breaks into a lot of pieces especially as a result of natural forces, or serious damage: · The ice breaks up quicker near the shore.· Two of the missiles apparently broke up in flight.· The comet was formed when a planet broke up at some time in the distant past.
British go to pieces American to break into a lot of small pieces, especially because of being weak, old, or badly made: · The book had been read again and again, until it finally fell to pieces.· I picked the bag up, and it went to pieces in my hands.· The trunk was full of old dresses, some of which were falling to pieces.
to break easily into pieces, especially because of being badly made or very old: · I only bought these shoes last week, and they're falling apart already.· His jacket started coming apart at the seams.
if something disintegrates , it breaks into a lot of small pieces so that it is completely destroyed or so that it completely changes its form: · A 50-foot section of the roadway began to disintegrate after only a few cars had passed over it.· The plane disintegrated in midair.· The mummified man's clothes had disintegrated almost completely, but appeared to be mainly of leather and fur.
if something, especially glass, shatters , it breaks suddenly into a lot of very small pieces because it has been dropped or hit: · The glass had shattered, but the photograph itself was undamaged.· Storefront windows shattered and roofs blew off during the hurricane.· Don't try to drive nails into the bricks, they may shatter.
to noisily break into pieces as a result of being dropped or hit: · I heard something smash. What broke?smash to pieces/bits: · The bottle rolled off the table and smashed to pieces on the floor.
if something such as wood splinters , it breaks into thin, sharp pieces: · These types of wood splinter more easily than redwood or cedar.· The coating helps prevent the glass from splintering if it is hit by a rock while you are driving.
to break easily into a powder or into small pieces, especially as a result of being old or dry: · The autumn leaves crumbled in my fingers.· Some of the tiles are crumbling around the edges.
if something such as a tyre or a pipe bursts , the force of the air, water etc inside makes it break into many pieces: · The Concorde disaster was caused by a tyre bursting.· Thousands of gallons of oil flowed into the river when an oil pipeline burst.
especially American if a tyre blows , it breaks open suddenly and all the air comes out of it: · One of the tires blew and they skidded into the center divider.
to break a piece from the main part of something to break off a piece of something: break off something: · She broke off a bit of bread and dipped it in the soup.break something off: · When the dough is chilled, break pieces of the dough off with your fingers, and roll into small balls.break something off something: · Break a leaf off the bush, rub it between your fingers, and smell the lemony scent.
to accidentally break off a small piece from the edge of something, such as a cup, plate, or piece of wood: · He fell off his bike and chipped his front tooth.· If you don't load the dishwasher right, it might chip some of the cups.
to break, so that one piece becomes separated from the main part if a part of something breaks off , it breaks and becomes separated from the main part of it: · I gave it a tug and the zipper broke off.· A military cargo plane made an emergency landing when one of the propellers broke off.· Icebergs break off from the ice sheets and float southwards.
if part of something comes off it becomes separated from the main part of it because it is not fastened to it firmly enough: · Can you fix the door? The handle's come off.come off something: · A wheel had come off a car, and rolled to the side of the road.
to easily become separated from a surface when touched, pulled etc: · The switch was attached to the plate and came away with it when I pulled.come away from: · Mix until the dough comes away from the side of the bowl.come away in somebody's hand (=become separated very easily or without you realising it): · Ralph pulled, and the lock came away in his hand.
to break a bone in your body · I broke my leg last time I went skiing.· She slipped on the floor, it'd just been washed, and broke her hip.· They thought he'd broken his back, but the X-ray showed it was okay.
to partly break a bone : · She slipped and cracked a rib.· Freeman cracked his skull in the accident.
to break or partly break a bone in your body - used especially by doctors: · My grandmother fell down the stairs and fractured her ankle.· He fractured both his legs in the car accident.
to break a bone in someone's body into a lot of small pieces, especially by shooting or hitting them: · The nine-year-old boy was hit by a car and shattered his skull on the pavement.· The bullet shattered a bone in her left forearm.
especially American, informal to break one of the bones in your body: · She fell and busted her knee.
easily broken objects that are breakable break easily because they are made of glass or another thin, hard material, and must be handled carefully: · Put breakable objects out of the reach of children.· Many laboratories spend thousands of dollars a year on breakable glass equipment.
not strong and therefore very easily broken or damaged: · The parcel was marked FRAGILE -- HANDLE WITH CARE.· The museum sends fragile porcelain objects to specialists to be restored.
something that is delicate is easily broken or damaged, especially because it is made of very thin material, and is attractive to look at: · The tea was served in delicate china cups.· a delicate gold necklace
hard and easily broken, especially because of being old and dry: · Perming makes your hair more brittle.· The building's electrical wiring was worn and brittle, causing a fire hazard.
something that is crisp is hard, thin, and breaks easily when you press on it: · The crisp, dry leaves rustled underneath her feet.· Brush the tops of the loaves with cold water, which helps form the crisp crust for which French bread is famous.
to stop a machine from working to stop a machine from working by damaging it, especially by damaging it so badly that it cannot be used again: · One of the kids put some rocks in the blender and broke it.· I don't know what she did, but she managed to break the sewing machine.
written to make a machine or a system unable to work: · The robbers had disabled the bank's security system.· The tank's navigational system had been disabled during a grenade attack.
to deliberately stop a machine or piece of equipment from working properly by damaging it, especially because you want to stop an enemy from using it: · An electronic mine exploded under the ship and put it out of action.· Reporting from the area was difficult even before terrorists put all the telephone lines out of action.
also immobilise British to stop a vehicle from working, especially a military vehicle: · Demonstrators immobilized tanks using gasoline bombs.· Kendrick had only a few minutes to immobilize the aircraft.
to stop working if something goes wrong with a machine, it stops working normally - use this especially about complicated equipment, when you do not know what the problem is: · Who'll fix my computer if something goes wrong?something goes wrong with: · Occasionally something went wrong with the projector and the movie was canceled.· Something's gone wrong with my washing machine.
if a car, bus, train, or large machine breaks down , it stops working completely: · She was late for the meeting because her car broke down.· The elevators in this building are always breaking down.
if a computer crashes , it suddenly stops working, and information is often lost because of this: · I installed the new program and my computer crashed.· Hundreds of hospital records were wiped out when the network crashed.
if an engine cuts out , it suddenly stops working: · Every time Mark slowed down the engine cut out.· I started to go up the hill and the engine just cut out on me.
especially written if a part of a machine or of a piece of electrical equipment fails , it stops working: · The driver of the car claims that his brakes failed and he was unable to stop.· In the last ten minutes of the game, one of the television cameras failed.· One of the engines failed at 30,000 feet.
formal to stop working properly: · This is a sign that the computer's hard disk is malfunctioning.· Both satellites entered orbit but quickly malfunctioned.
British informal if a machine packs up , it stops working, especially because it is old: · When this record player packs up, I'll buy a CD player.· They won't know what to do if a pipe bursts or if the heater packs up.
when something starts burning also catch on fire especially American to start burning accidentally: · Two farm workers died when a barn caught fire yesterday.· The car turned over, but luckily it didn't catch fire.· There was an explosion, and the whole garage caught on fire.
to suddenly start burning and produce a lot of flames that cause serious damage: · The plane crashed into the side of the mountain and burst into flames.· Without warning the toaster burst into flames.
if a building or vehicle goes up or goes up in flames , it starts burning very quickly and usually is destroyed by fire: · Be careful with those matches, or the whole place will go up in flames!· The fire spread slowly until it reached the gas cylinders, then the factory went up in flames.· If the oil tanker goes up, it could burn for weeks.
if a fire breaks out , it starts burning accidentally and spreads very quickly: · Over £20,000 worth of damage was caused when a fire broke out in the cellar.· Would you know what to do if a fire broke out in your school?
to suddenly begin to burn, or suddenly burn much more strongly than before, with a strong, bright flame: · The spilled gasoline suddenly flared up in a sheet of flame.· They threw some dry wood onto the bonfire and it flared up, showering sparks into the night sky.
to start burning: · Scientists could not explain why the gas had suddenly ignited.· The compound ignites at 450 degrees Celsius.
to do something that is a crime: commit a crime/offence/murder etc do something that is a crime, especially a serious or violent crime: · Brady committed a series of brutal murders.· Women commit far fewer crimes than men.· It now seems likely that Mason was sent to prison for an offence he never committed.
to do something that is illegal: · I didn't realize that I was breaking the law.· Hamer acknowledges that what he did was wrong, but denies breaking the law.· Should journalists ever break the law in order to get a story?
to get into a situation in which you are blamed or punished for doing something illegal: · Logue got into trouble for drug violations.get into trouble with: · When he was a teenager, Wayne got into a lot of trouble with the police.
to begin a way of life that involves crime: · He claims that when he could not find work, he was forced to turn to crime.· Kramer said that he turned to crime in a bid to pay off his debts.
if someone has a criminal record, they have been found guilty of a crime in the past, and this information is officially recorded by the police or the courts: · A background check confirmed that he had a criminal record.· Loman has a lengthy criminal record.
to make a crowd separate if the police or the army disperses a crowd, they make it separate, and people leave in different directions: · National Guard troops were called in to disperse the crowd.
if someone, especially the police, breaks up a crowd, they make it separate, and people go away in small groups: · The police had to use tear gas to break up the protest.
to start to cry · Jim turned away from me and started to cry.· "I want Daddy to come home," Anna said, starting to cry.· Just at that moment, the baby started crying.
to suddenly start to cry because you are upset about something: · Laura burst into tears and ran out of the room.
to suddenly start to cry a lot, after trying not to cry: · I broke down when he'd gone, knowing that I might never see him again.break down and cry: · As the funeral service began, Frances broke down and cried.break down in tears: · All the worry and anxiety had been too much for her, and she suddenly broke down in tears.
British informal to deliberately start to cry in order to get someone's sympathy or persuade them to do something: · She was one of those people who could turn on the waterworks in order to get what they want.
to damage something to break part of something or spoil its appearance: · The goods were damaged during transport.· Don't put any hot things on the table - you'll damage the surface.badly/severely damaged: · The building had been severely damaged by fire.
if one thing or person does or causes damage to another, it damages that person or thing - use this especially to say how much damage there is: · The explosion caused over £50,000 worth of damage.· In the end, the Internet virus did little permanent damage.do/cause damage to: · Too much sun can do serious damage to your skin.
to damage a machine or piece of equipment so that it does not work or cannot be used: · Leave that clock alone - you'll break it!· We used to have a remote control for the TV, but my brother broke it.
to damage a painted or polished surface by making long thin marks on it with something sharp or rough: · Be careful not to scratch the table with those scissors.· I scratched the side of the car as I was backing it into the driveway.
to destroy someone's relationships, hopes, happiness etc to destroy someone's relationships, hopes, happiness etc: · Even close relationships can be destroyed by alcoholism.· Few things destroy trust more than telling a friend's secrets.· Chandler worried that the scandal would destroy his chances for a respectable career.
to completely destroy someone's relationships, hopes, chances etc, especially by doing or saying something without thinking of the likely results: · Ron's affair wrecked our marriage.· His confrontational speech has wrecked any chances of a peace settlement.
to destroy someone's determination although they have tried hard to keep it: · Years in prison did not break Mr Mandela's spirit.· Her captors used violence and psychological torture to try to break her will.
to completely spoil or destroy someone's chances, hopes, relationship etc: · Phelps's mistake has ruined her chances of winning the championship.· Patty's ex-boyfriend is ruining our relationship.
to not obey a rule or law to not obey a law or rule: · Protesters disobeyed the law and blocked the city's main roads.· Troops openly disobeyed orders, refusing to use force against their own people.
to not do what a rule or law says you must do: · Students who break the rules and smoke in school will be suspended.· I do not want my sons' TV role models to be tough, cool guys, who break laws and kill people. break the law: · If you fail to buy a ticket before you get on the train, you are breaking the law.
formal to disobey or do something that is against a rule, agreement, principle etc: · This action violated the constitution and the Civil Rights Act.· Police have arrested twenty people, accused of violating a ban on demonstrations.
also ignore to pay no attention to a law, rule, or to what someone has told you to do, and behave as if it does not affect you. Disregard is more formal than ignore: · Many cyclists ignore the law and ride around at night without lights.· I tell her to come home by 10 o'clock, but she just ignores me.· Marlow sometimes disregards the law, but his aim is always justice.· By disregarding speed limits and passing red lights, we somehow got to the airport in time.
formal to break a particular written law, rule, or agreement: · The sale of untreated milk may contravene public health regulations.· If a licence holder contravenes any of these conditions, their licence will be withdrawn.
: flout a rule/law etc to deliberately break a law or a rule, especially because you think it is unnecessary or stupid: · Many bar owners flout the laws on under-age drinking.· Thousands of people are killed on our roads every year, yet a majority of us insist on flouting speed limits.
to disturb someone so that they cannot continue what they are doing to stop someone when they are working, talking, or having a meeting, especially because you want to ask a question or tell them something: · Sorry to disturb you, but could I ask a quick question?· Try not to disturb your dad - he's working.· Before closing the door to his office, he told his secretary that he was not to be disturbed.
to stop someone when they are working, talking, or having a meeting, especially because you want to ask them a question or tell them something: · Don't interrupt - I haven't finished yet.· I'm sorry to interrupt your meeting, but may I speak with Michael for a moment?· While I was giving my report, some guy in the back kept interrupting me every two minutes.
to disturb someone who is doing something, especially in a way that is annoying: · Will you stop bothering me? I'm trying to watch a program.· Sorry to bother you, but could you help me one more time with the copier?· Don't bother Ellen while she's reading.
to stop someone who is trying to work, study, or read, by making them look at or listen to something else: · Don't distract your father while he's driving.· The couple behind us kept distracting everyone by talking during the movie.· I was distracted by the sound of a car alarm in the street.
British to make it difficult for someone to do something, by preventing them from paying attention and thinking clearly about what they are doing: · Seles couldn't concentrate on the game - the photographers were putting her off.
to disturb someone so that they forget what they were thinking about: · The phone rang, breaking my train of thought.· I sat very still, not wanting to break her train of thought.
to enter a place illegally or by using force · A man was arrested for trying to enter the actress's Beverly Hills home.enter through/by etc · It appears the burglars entered through a back window.
to succeed in entering a room, building, or area which is locked or difficult to enter, especially by using force or by finding an unusual way in: · How did you get in? I thought the door was locked.· Some animals hadn't gotten in the shed and made a mess.get into something: · Thieves had apparently got into the apartments by posing as electricians.
to enter a building by using force, in order to steal something: · If anyone tries to break in, the alarm will go off.break into something: · Thieves broke into the gallery and made off with paintings valued at over $2 million.
if someone, especially criminals or the police gain entry or gain access , they succeed in entering a locked building or room, especially by using force: · The police gained entry by smashing down the door.gain entry/gain access to: · Somehow the woman had gained access to his dressing room and was waiting there when he came off the stage.
to enter a building or room by using force, especially when someone is trying to stop you: · They've blocked the door. We'll have to force our way in.force your way into something: · Police eventually forced their way into the building and arrested the gunman.
the crime of entering a place illegally, especially with the intention of stealing something: · You can't just go into his apartment when he's not there - that's breaking and entering.· He was caught in the school at night and has been charged with breaking and entering.
to illegally enter or be on someone's land or in a building without permission from the owner: · Get out of the yard! Can't you see the sign? It says "No Trespassing."trespass on: · Carlson was fined $1000 for trespassing on government property.
to enter an area that is well guarded or dangerous to enter - used especially in a military context: · The barbed wire fences and security shields made the air base very difficult to penetrate.
to escape from somewhere where you are in danger to get away from a place, country etc where you are in danger, especially when it is difficult to do this because someone is trying to catch you or stop you leaving: · Only four people managed to escape before the roof collapsed.· The refugees have crossed miles of desert to escape civil war and famine.escape from: · Josie managed to escape from her attacker and call the police.escape into/through/over etc: · Some people were able to escape over the border into Tanzania.· When the army began killing civilians in the town, he was able to escape through the jungle.
to escape from a place or country when there is a serious risk that something bad will happen very soon: · Eventually we realized there was no way of getting out.· A few people managed to get out before the government crackdown.get out of: · All US tourists and journalists are being advised to get out of the country as soon as possible.get out alive: · The whole building was on fire - we were lucky to get out alive!
to try to escape from someone by running away: · Don't run away - I'm not going to hurt you.· Delia managed to get away from the man and ran off screaming.run away/run off from: · If you run away from the bull, it's almost certain to attack you.run away/run off into/down/across etc: · He jumped out of the car and ran off into the woods.
to suddenly run away very quickly, as soon as you have a chance, especially because you are very frightened: · One of the horses got into a panic and bolted.· When police approached him to ask him some questions, he bolted.bolt across/into/out etc: · Before I could say a word, she turned and bolted out the front door.
informal to suddenly run away very quickly because you are in danger of being caught, especially when you are doing something illegal: · Somebody's coming. Quick, run for it.· There's no way we can beat them - we're going to have to make a run for it.
to escape as quickly as possible because you are in great danger - used especially in newspapers: · When police arrived, the two men fled.flee from/to/into etc: · Most of the women there were Somalis fleeing from the civil war.· Up to five million political refugees have fled to other countries.flee the country/the city etc: · Rollins tried to flee the country but was stopped at the airport.
to escape from a place or a dangerous situation, especially when you do this quickly and secretly, as soon as you have a chance: · He made his escape by climbing through the window and down the fire escape.· The hostages spent days waiting for the opportunity to make their escape.
to escape by running away very quickly - used especially in stories: · The kids immediately took to their heels as Mrs Brewster appeared around the corner.· He jumped off the train, took to his heels, and was quickly out of sight.
to escape from someone who is holding you: · She wanted to break away, but his grip was too strong.· With a violent twist he broke free and ran out of the room.break free/break away from: · Then Tammy broke free from Judd and ran for the door screaming.
to escape from an aircraft that is going to crash: · The pilot bailed out of the aircraft just in time and was only slightly injured.
to escape from a prison or from where someone is keeping you to escape from a prison or from a place where someone is keeping you: · Guards have been ordered to shoot anyone trying to escape.escape from: · He escaped from prison in June, but was rearrested by police a month later.escape into/through/out etc.: · Grant had escaped through a bathroom window while in police custody.
to escape from a prison or from a building or room where you are being kept: · Some of the men were planning to break out.· The doors and windows are all firmly locked - I don't know how we're going to get out.break out/get out of: · In 1998 the two men broke out of jail and murdered a police officer.· No one has ever managed to get out of this prison alive.
to do something that has never been done before · The Spanish were the first to keep cattle in the American deserts.· She was the first to see the link between poverty and poor health.be the first person to do something · Yuri Gagarin became the first man to fly in space.
to be the first to do something, especially something good or successful, which may encourage others to do something similar: · Once the Japanese had shown the way, manufacturers in other countries soon began to use robots on a large scale.lead the way in doing something: · The company has led the way in developing environmentally friendly products.
use this about something someone does or tries to do that no-one has ever done before: · The special effects in the movie included things that had never been done before.· Because of advances in technology, we are able to try something that has never been attempted before.
to be the first to invent or find a new method of doing something, and make it possible or easier for others to do the same: · He pioneered techniques for photographing moving objects.· Heart-transplant surgery was pioneered by Professor Christiaan Barnard.
using new and better methods or ideas for the first time: · Her pioneering work in the field of education will be remembered.· Cowley's pioneering development of modern emergency medicine helped save countless lives.
if someone or their work breaks new ground , their work is completely new and different from anything that existed before: · Roosevelt's social reform program broke new ground.· The album is enjoyable, but breaks no new ground.· There's a lot of new ground being broken in the field of genetic research.
British /mold American to be the first to do something in a different way from the way it was usually done before: · The governor urged teachers to break the mold in establishing new ways of teaching.· The new party promised to break the mould of British politics.
to hurt a part of your body if you hurt a part of your body, you accidentally damage it so that it feels painful or you cannot move it easily: · Nick's hurt his back, and the doctor says he will have to rest for a few weeks.· I can't go running this week - I've hurt my foot.hurt yourself: · That's a sharp knife. Be careful you don't hurt yourself.
to hurt a part of your body, especially seriously and in a way that takes a long time to get better: · Tom injured his shoulder playing tennis.injure yourself: · Many elderly people injure themselves in their own homes, for example by slipping in the bath.
to hurt a part of your body when you fall or hit it against something, causing a dark, painful mark to form on your skin: · Mom fell on the ice and bruised the side of her leg.badly bruise: · Keller badly bruised a hip, and came off early in the second half of the match.· My skin bruises quite easily.
to hurt your knee, wrist, or another joint by twisting or pulling it suddenly and awkwardly: · I sprained my knee while I was playing basketball.· You'll need strong walking boots in the mountains, if you don't want to sprain an ankle.
to break a bone in your body: · It was such bad luck - it was our first time skiing and Nicola broke her leg.
to hurt your knee or another joint, by turning it too suddenly or strongly while you are moving: · I couldn't play, having twisted my knee in the previous night's game.· The doctor said that I'd wrenched my shoulder and shouldn't drive for a while.
: pull a muscle to injure a muscle by stretching it too much, especially during hard physical activity: · I pulled a muscle trying to move the piano into the apartment.· Crawford had been ordered to take a day's rest after pulling a leg muscle.
written to injure a part of your body fairly seriously, especially in a way that means it will take a long time to get better or will never get better: · Lewis damaged his knee in training and will not appear in the game.· When carrying out the operation, doctors have to take great care not to damage the delicate nerve endings.
to injure a joint by falling on it or stretching it so that the two parts of the joint are moved out of their normal position and stay out of position: · Sam dislocated his shoulder in a riding accident.
if part of your body is bleeding , blood is coming out of it because you have been injured: · His head was bleeding, and he'd obviously been in a fight.be bleeding from: · John saw that he was bleeding from some sort of wound on his chest.be bleeding heavily/profusely (=a lot of blood is coming out): · The cut on her leg had opened again and was bleeding heavily.
to do something that is illegal · If you break the law, you must expect to be punished.· You're breaking the law if you drive without wearing a seat belt.· In many cases, people who have been released from prison will break the law again.
: commit a crime/an offence/burglary/murder etc to do something that is a crime, or that is a particular type of crime: · Detectives believe that the crime was committed at around 7.30 pm.· Most violent crimes are committed by young men under the age of 25.· She later claimed that she did not realize she was committing an offense.
if something a company or government does contravenes a particular law, it breaks that law, especially unintentionally - used especially in legal or official contexts: · Penalties for contravening the laws on food hygiene have been increased.· Any interference in one country's domestic affairs by another country contravenes the UN charter.
to do something that is not allowed by the rules of an organization, game etc: · Any student caught breaking the school rules was immediately sent to the Principal.break the rules on: · Athletes can be fined thousands of dollars for breaking the rules on steroid use.
to break a law, especially one that protects someone's rights: · If a teacher makes copies of software for students, he or she is infringing copyright.· Arrangements for widow's pensions infringed laws on equal pay and treatment.
to stop someone when they are speaking to start speaking when someone else is already speaking: · I wish you wouldn't interrupt all the time.· I'm sorry I interrupted you.· He apologised for interrupting her speech.
spoken to interrupt someone rudely: · Will you please stop butting in!· Mom, Joe keeps butting in and he won't let me finish my story.
written to interrupt someone before they have finished talking, so that you can say something: · "There's this nice guy . . .' "I'm not interested,'' Roz cut in, laughing.· Lila cut in again, answering before he could even open his mouth.
to interrupt someone before they have finished what they were going to say: · Her elder brother cut her off sharply -- 'I won't have you speaking to your mother like that!'· I'm sorry to cut you short, Mrs Shaw, but I'm afraid we've run out of time.
to join a conversation by interrupting someone or by saying something suddenly: · "Sam, what on earth are you talking about?' she broke in at last.· 'That's enough,' the guard broke in impatiently. 'Hurry up and say goodbye.'break in on: · The tutor finally broke in on Sam's monologue, much to the relief of the rest of the class.
to open a door, window, box etc · It's very hot in here. Do you mind if I open the window?· The drawer's locked - you need a key to open it.open something wide · He opened the door wide, and gestured for me to come in.
to turn the a key in the lock on a door, drawer, cupboard etc so that you can open it: · Unlock the door! We can't get out!· Which of these keys unlocks the safe?· "Come and see", Jo said, unlocking a huge iron gate.
to open a drawer, window, cupboard etc by using force, often with a tool: force something/it open: · The door's stuck - we'll have to force it open.force open something: · The burglars had forced open the window with an iron bar.· It looked as though the shed had been forced open.
to open a container by using force, so that it is damaged: break open something: · We managed to break open the crate with an axe.break something/it/them open: · There's no key for the suitcase - we'll have to break it open.· Gulls carry shellfish into the air, then drop them onto hard surfaces to break them open.
British /pry open American to open something by forcing one part of it away from the other part, using a tool: prise something/it/them open: · All the flats were boarded up, but we managed to prise a few boards open.prise open something: · Laura leaned forward to pry open the crate.prise the lid off (=remove the lid to open it): · I picked up the coffee tin and, using a knife, prised the lid off.
to try to open a door or window in order to see if it is locked: · I knocked, then tried the door. It was open, but the room was empty.· I went around the back to try the windows, but they were all locked.
to completely break a locked door in order to get into a room or building: break down something: · Firemen had to break the door down.break something/it down: · Open the door now or we'll break it down!
British to open a car window, especially by turning a handle: wind/roll down something: · The driver wound down his window and asked us the way to the stadium.wind/roll something down: · Mom, will you roll your window down a little please?
spoken use this to tell someone to open a door: · Open up - it's the police!
to stop doing something in order to rest, eat etc especially spoken to stop working for a while in order to rest, eat etc: · We're all getting tired. Let's take a break for ten minutes.· Is it all right if we have a break at about 10.30?have a quick/short/five minute etc break: · If you're working at a computer, it's best if you have a quick break at least once an hour.
American informal to stop for a while in order to rest: · Let's take five and get some coffee.
informal to stop for a while because you want a rest, especially because you have been doing something very difficult or tiring: · It's 12 o' clock. Why don't we take a breather?· I'd only been running for five minutes, but I had to stop and take a breather.
to stop working and have lunch, a coffee break, a holiday etc: · At 12.30, the committee broke for lunch.· There's still an enormous amount of work to do before we break for Christmas.
to stop for a while and rest, either because you are tired or in order to do something else: · Try to take time out and get together with the kids.take time out to do something: · Taking time out to relax each day is important during pregnancy.take time out from/of: · The President took time out from his busy schedule to speak to the crowds.
also recess American formal if a meeting or court adjourns , or if someone in authority adjourns it, the meeting or court stops for a short time, for example so that more information can be collected: · If there are no more questions, the committee will adjourn until tomorrow morning.· "The court will recess for twenty minutes," Judge Bart said.· The trial was adjourned for two weeks until the psychiatrist's report was ready.
to not make a profit · The company made a small loss last year but this year has managed to break even.· We'll be just breaking even if we can get an average audience of 300.
British a company or business that is non-profitmaking does business so that its profits are used to provide money for hospitals, poor people etc: · Traidcraft is a non-profitmaking organization that buys goods from Indian workers at fair prices.
to not do what you promised to do · I said I'd take the girls to the movie, and I don't like to break a promise.break a promise to do something · The government has broken its promise to reduce the size of the army.broken promise · Despite Roosevelt's broken promise to balance the budget, he was elected president four times.
to change your mind and not do something that you had earlier promised to do: · He had gone back on his promise to stop drinking too many times.· The rebels had agreed to a ceasefire, but they've gone back on their word.
formal to fail to keep to officially agreed promises or responsibilities: · The government has had to renege on its commitment to full employment.· Kenoco Inc has reneged on its agreement to finance the film.
to remove something that is fixed or joined to something else to remove something that is fixed to something else: take something off: · I took the lid off and tasted the soup.take off something: · He took off the old handle and fixed a new one in its place.
to take off something that forms a piece or part of something else or that covers something else. Remove is more formal than take off , and is used especially in writing: · Remove all the fat, then cut the meat into cubes.· Make sure that the engine has cooled down before removing the radiator cap.remove from: · She was in the hospital, having a lump removed from her breast.
formal to remove a piece or part of something that is designed to be removed: · Please detach the last section of this form, fill it in, and return it to us.· The control unit can be detached from the base.
to remove a part of something by breaking, tearing, cutting etc it: break/tear/cut off something: · A van bumped into us, damaging one of the headlights and breaking off the aerial.· Tear off the coupon and send it to this address.· Winds reached over 100 mph, tearing off roofs and flattening trees.· He used to catch spiders and cut off their legs.break/tear/cut something off: · Gerard broke the handle off accidentally when he was trying to open the door.· I'd like to keep this part -- is it alright if I tear it off?· He cut the top off the coconut.· He cut all his hair off as a protest.
to remove fruit from trees or flowers from the ground: · Migrant workers come to the orchard each autumn to pick apples.· I'll pick a few flowers to take to mum's.
to run · You'll have to run or you'll miss the bus.· He kept on running until he was out in the open country.run across/through/along etc · A dog ran straight out in front of my car.· Run to the bathroom and get a towel.run for the bus/train etc (=in order to catch it) · Just running for the bus leaves me out of breath.run away/off (=run fast in order to leave a place) · They grabbed her purse and then ran off towards the subway.· Neil tried to catch the frightened animal, but it ran away from him.run around/round (=run in several different directions over a fairly large area, for fun) · The kids were running around and being silly.run after somebody/something (=chase someone) · Her dog was running after a rabbit and did not hear her calling.
to run very quickly for a short distance, especially because you have to do something urgently: dash around/into/across etc: · Gillian saw two men dash past, but they didn't notice her.· I eventually found the place, and dashed up the stairs.dash off (=leave a place very quickly, for example because you are late): · We only have a few moments, because Heidi's got to dash off soon.
informal to start running quickly towards a place or thing to try to reach it or escape something: · It was raining, and we made a run for the car.· When the lecture was finally ovr, the students made a break for the exit.make a run/dash/break for it (=try to escape): · As soon as the guard turns around, we'll make a run for it.make a made dash for something (=run very quickly): · She heard the whistle and made a mad dash for the departing train.
to run as fast as you can, usually over a short distance: sprint towards/out/across etc: · Margaret sprinted down the street, almost collapsing when she reached us.sprint for the bus/train etc (=in order to catch it.): · The bus driver must have seen me sprinting for the bus, but he drove off.
to run fairly slowly, taking short steps: trot in/across/towards etc: · She trotted softly through the passageway to the gate. · I looked up, and saw a dog trotting along the sidewalk toward me.trot along/back/off : · Dorothy arrived, with a little dog trotting along behind her.
to run very quickly and without really looking where you are going, because you are in a hurry: tear along/past/through etc: · Bobby tore past, shouting something about being late for work.· A masked man came tearing out of the bank and jumped into a waiting car.tear off (=leave somewhere running very quickly): · Mary tore off downstairs, determined to see the visitors for herself.
to run quickly and with a lot of energy, especially when you are going to attack someone or something: charge at/towards/into etc: · The doors flew open, and Pascoe charged across the foyer, scattering people in all directions. · Riot police with batons charged at soccer fans twice during last night's international with Spain.charge off (=leave somewhere in a hurry): · Don't charge off, I want a word with you.
to suddenly start running, especially after you have been walking: · Suddenly two of the prisoners broke into a run, heading as fast as they could for the fence.· He walked swiftly, resisting the urge to break into a run.
to move quickly forward with long high jumps: bound towards/across/up etc: · A big black Alsatian dog came bounding up to her.· There was a shout, and suddenly Adrian bounded into the room.
to make someone feel sad · Something at school was making her unhappy, but she didn't want to talk about it.it makes somebody sad/unhappy to do something · It made me sad to see her looking so old and ill.
to make someone feel sad and want to cry: · I'm sorry if I upset you - I didn't mean to.· The idea of having to change school seemed to upset him more than we thought it would.it upsets somebody to do something: · Her father died when she was ten, and it still upsets her to think about it.
if a situation or event saddens someone, it makes them feel sad, especially because they think that this type of situation or event should not happen: · Everyone was saddened by the news that housing is to be built on the fields beside Cliff Lane.· Those of us who knew him are shocked and saddened by his death.it saddens somebody to do something: · Sometimes it saddened him to think that he was no longer young.it saddens somebody that : · It saddens me that there are people who go around vandalizing public places like this.
to make someone feel very sad or unhappy, especially so that they feel that only bad things happen and they cannot change the situation: · Listening to the news can really depress you, if you let it.· Shaun decided to leave. The way the others were behaving was beginning to depress him.it depresses somebody to do something: · It depressed me to think that five years ago I was earning more than I do now.
informal to gradually make someone feel unhappy and tired over a period of time: · The endless rain was beginning to get him down.· You can tell me if there's anything that's worrying you or getting you down.
to make someone very sad and upset, especially because a relationship has ended or because they are very disappointed: · When Annie left him, it broke his heart.it breaks somebody's heart (that): · It breaks my heart that his career has been ruined.it breaks somebody's heart to do something: · It would break her heart to leave the lovely old stone house where she'd lived for so long.
spoken if something is a downer , it makes you feel unhappy, especially because it is not good or successful: · I thought the movie was going to be a total downer, but it wasn't.on a downer: · The home team concluded its season on a big downer with a 2- 0 defeat.
to make someone feel very unhappy and without hope - use this especially when a bad situation is continuing and they cannot see how to change it: · There were times when the endless arguments drove him to despair.· By the time I was 17, the atmosphere at the school was driving me to despair.
to separate something into two or more parts · This is a technique used to separate the components of a mixture.separate something into something · He sat at a desk, separating a pile of mail into "urgent' and "non-urgent'.
to separate something into a number of separate parts or things: divide something into something: · We divided the pizza into three and had a slice each.· Some of the big old houses have been divided into apartments.divide up something/divide something up: · He said that dividing up the company would make the units more profitable.
to separate something that used to be a single thing or a single group into two or more different parts: · Rutherford first split the atom on 3rd January 1919.split something in half/in two (=so that it makes two equal parts): · He split the company in half, and then sold both new companies to different buyers.split something into something (=into two, three etc parts): · For this exercise, I'm going to split the class into three groups.
to separate something into several smaller parts: break up something: · The police were attacked as they tried to break up the crowd.break something up: · If you have to give a long explanation, try to break it up.break something up into something: · You can break a subject up into sections and guide your learners through it one section at a time.
to separate something such as a report or a job into parts, especially in order to make it easier to understand or easier to do: break down something: · Try to break down the calculation and get the students to do it in stages.break something down: · If you find a piece of music hard to play, break it down into small sections and practise each one slowly.
to separate a machine, piece of equipment etc into parts: take something apart: · He'd shown her how to take a gun apart and clean it.take apart something: · He spends his time taking apart old clocks and watches.
to separate a large or complicated machine into parts, for example so that it can no longer be used or in order to make it easier to move, repair etc: · Jimmy was in the garage, dismantling his bike.· The first thing the soldiers did was to dismantle the enemy's surveillance equipment.
to separate something into pieces, especially in order to check for a fault or to clean it: · He took the toy to pieces to find out how it worked.· The parcel contained a gun that had been taken to pieces.
to smile to make your mouth curve upwards, as a sign that you are happy or amused or that you want to be friendly: · She smiled and said, "Good morning.''· Kathy couldn't help smiling as the children came back into the room.· 'Stop worrying, you look very nice,' she smiled reassuringly. (=said with a smile)· My father rarely smiled.smile at: · The twins turned and smiled at each other, sharing a private joke.· He winked, and she smiled back at him.smile broadly (=smile with your mouth very wide): · She smiled broadly when her name was called.make somebody smile: · He can make people smile just by walking into a room.
to give a big happy smile: · Grinning shyly, he offered her a drink.· 'I've been a complete idiot', grinned Ian. (=said with a grin)grin broadly (=grin with your mouth very wide): · She sat back down again, grinning broadly.grin at: · She kept grinning at me as if we were old friends.grin from ear to ear informal (=to grin a lot because you are very happy): · She was holding the baby, and grinning from ear to ear.
to smile for a long time, especially because you are very pleased about or proud of something or someone: · Her parents stood there beaming as she went up to receive the prize.beam at: · After the song was over, Miss Timms beamed at the class.beam with pleasure/pride etc: · Daddy sat in the first pew, beaming with pride.· Just a short time before, they had been beaming with optimism.
if someone's face lights up , they suddenly look happy, for example because they have received some good news: · He gave her the letter and watched as her face lit up.· The moment she walked into the room, Bob's face lit up.
to suddenly start smiling: · All at once she broke into a smile as she remembered what had happened.· She broke into a grin, and started to run towards me.· "We're going to have a visitor,'' said her mother, and Anna's face broke into a smile at the thought.
to be very happy, smile a lot, and be friendly toward other people, especially because a situation is the way you want it: · I don't understand it -- he was all smiles this morning and now he won't talk to me.
to try hard to smile when you do not feel happy: · "I'm getting married,'' he said. Somehow I managed to force a smile.· Alice forced a smile, hoping it looked natural.
to use money to buy things to use money to buy things: · Everyone spends more at Christmas - it's an important time for business.· During the recession, even the tourists weren't spending.spend £5/$10/a dollar etc: · I bought two skirts and a T-shirt and I only spent $50.spend on: · We spend about £85 a week on food.· The government has promised to spend more money on education.· She spends most of her salary on clothes.spend money on doing something: · They spend quite a lot of money each week on eating out.
to spend £5, $10 etc on something because that is what it costs: · Of course you have to pay more if you want to travel in the summer.· What quality accommodation you get depends on how much you're prepared to pay.pay for: · I like your new car - how much did you pay for it?pay £5/$10/a dollar etc for: · They paid over $100 each for tickets.· The set meal costs £15 but you have to pay extra for wine.
to spend more money on something than you want to spend or more than you think is fair: · £65! I don't want to pay out that much!pay out for: · You have to pay out so much money for car repairs these days.pay out on: · The idea of paying out half my salary on rent didn't sound too good.pay out £5/$10 etc: · Did you know that Eddy paid out nearly £2000 for his new computer?
informal to pay a particular amount of money for something, especially when you are buying it from another person, so that the price is not fixed: · "I don't really want to spend that much." "OK, how much are you prepared to give?"give for: · Did they give you the asking price for the house?give (somebody) £5/$10 etc: · He said he'd give £40 for the painting, so I said yes.
to start spending an amount of money that you have saved or that you were keeping for a particular purpose before you really wanted to: · We had to break into our savings to pay the hospital fees.· I really want to avoid having to break into the money I was saving for college.
spoken use this to talk about something you paid a reasonable price for, so you expect it to be of good quality or used properly so that your money has not been wasted: · I paid good money for that tennis racquet and it broke the first time I used it.· What's the point of paying good money for a wedding dress when I'm only going to wear it once?
when something bad starts to happen to start happening - use this about unpleasant things like fires, wars, or diseases: · A fire broke out on the top floor of the building.· Late last night, fighting broke out between gangs of rival football fans.
when something unpleasant starts happening, such as a fire, war, or disease: · Thousands of people died as the result of this latest cholera outbreak.outbreak of: · There's been an outbreak of food poisoning at the hotel.· The system started to operate in late 1914, a few months after the outbreak of war in Europe.
if fighting, violence etc erupts , it starts very suddenly: · A fight over a game of cards had erupted in the corner of the bar.· Massive and often violent protests erupted across the country.· Gang violence can erupt for no apparent reason.
if something bad sets in , for example bad weather or an illness, it starts and seems likely to continue: · It looks as if the rain has set in for the day.· The doctors operated immediately to prevent any infection setting in.· Worldwide economic recession set in during the early 1980s.
to end a relationship · The affair ended after it was made public by the newspapers.· Our relationship just isn't working. I've decided to end it.
to end a relationship or connection with someone, especially an official one: · The Senator has been urged to break off all links with arms companies.· In the wake of the bombing, the UK is threatening to break off diplomatic relations.· His girlfriend has just told him that she wants to break off their engagement.
formal: sever ties/links/relations etc to completely end your relationship or connection with someone or something: · Since the job required that he be politically neutral, he had to sever his links with the Socialist Party.· Britain immediately severed relations with the three countries involved.
to stop a bad or unhealthy habit · She had smoked for nearly twenty years before she finally managed to stop.stop doing something · The health advice to people is simple - stop eating so much fat and eat more fruit and vegetables.
informal to stop doing something that that has been an unhealthy or harmful habit: · If you've smoked for a long time it can be very difficult to quit.quit doing something: · They told me at the hospital to quit drinking for a while.· I quit taking the pills because they were making me put on weight.
to stop doing something such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs because it is harmful or unhealthy: · If you smoke, try to give up or at least cut down.· She gave up drinking over 10 years ago.
informal to stop doing something that has been a habit for a long time, especially a bad or dangerous habit: · The centre provides help for addicts who have kicked their habit and want to stay away from drugs.· Some smokers use hypnosis to help them kick the habit.
to stop taking medicine or drugs that you have been taking regularly: · The doctor told me I could come off the drugs six months after the operation.· People need help to come off hard drugs like heroin and cocaine.
if a child grows out of a habit, he or she stops doing it as they get older: grow out of it: · Wetting the bed is a common problem, but children nearly always grow out of it.· He became obsessed with football at the age of four, and he's never grown out of it!
to sweat when you sweat your skin becomes wet, because you are hot, nervous, ill etc: · You're sweating. Why don't you take your jacket off?· The heat from the lights was making her sweat and her make-up started to run.sweat profusely (=sweat a lot): · Sweating profusely and gripping the lectern, Anderson began his speech.sweat like a pig/sweat buckets spoken (=sweat a lot): · My God, it's hot in here - I'm sweating like a pig!· It was tough work. Within minutes we were all sweating buckets.
formal to sweat: · She felt hot and awkward and started to perspire.· He was perspiring. It showed on his forehead.perspire freely/profusely (=perspire a lot): · James, who was perspiring profusely, took out a handkerchief and mopped his brow.
to start sweating, especially because you are nervous or afraid: · I was terrified. My hands were shaking, and I broke out in a sweat.· "It's got nothing to do with me," she said, breaking into a sweat.break out in a cold sweat/break into a cold sweat: · As the security guard approached, I broke into a cold sweat.
to be sweating a lot: · What on earth have you been doing? You're dripping with sweat!· Melissa was pouring with sweat, and her hair was stuck to her face.
to stop talking · She was happy to talk about her school and friends, but when I asked her about her parents, she went quiet.· Gerard suddenly realized that the people at the next table had gone quiet and were staring at them.
to suddenly stop talking without finishing what you were saying: · "It's not that I wanted to..." he broke off and sighed.· Kathleen was just telling me about her new car when she suddenly broke off and ran to the window.break off something: · I was sorry to break off his conversation with Margaret, but I had to leave.
written to suddenly stop talking, especially because something has happened to make you feel afraid, sad etc: · "Explain yourself," Mr O'Conner demanded. Paul fell silent, staring hard at the floor.· Everyone in the room fell silent, and Miss Rogers dozed peacefully her chair.
to give someone information by speaking or writing to them · If you'd told me earlier I might have been able to do something about it.tell somebody something · I want you to tell me all the details.· Who on earth told you that?· Can you tell me the quickest way to the centre of town?tell somebody (that) · She wrote to tell me she was getting married.· We were told that the manager wanted to see us in his office immediately.tell somebody what/where/who etc · Just tell me what happened.· Can you tell us where the nearest garage is?tell somebody about something · Have you told anyone about this?· One angry passenger claimed travellers were not told about the mechanical problems.
especially spoken to tell someone something important that they need to know or want to know: · If you need any help, just let me know.· You mean she just left without letting anyone know?let sb know about: · They said they'd let her know about the job by the end of the week.let somebody know something: · I'll let you know our new address as soon as I have it.let sb know (that): · When you get there, will you phone and let me know you arrived safely?let sb know what/where/how etc: · Jean tried to get in touch with her husband to let him know what had happened.
to officially or formally give someone information about something: · Do you think we ought to inform the police?inform somebody of/about something: · You should inform your bank of any change of address.· Doctors should inform patients about the possible side effects of any drugs they prescribe.inform somebody (that): · I am sorry to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.
formal to officially or formally give important information to someone, especially by telling them about something that has happened or that will happen: · Passengers are requested to notify a member of staff if they see suspicious packages.notify somebody of something: · Police notified the boy's parents of his death immediately.notify somebody that: · Staff were notified several months in advance that they would be losing their jobs.
to tell someone about something that they did not know but which they should know: · I am sure that your parents will want to know about this, and I will personally bring it to their attention.· The General Medical Council cannot investigate every controversial treatment brought to its attention.it's been brought to my attention/notice that: · It's been brought to my notice that you've expressed your dislike of a certain member of the company.
to tell someone some bad news or something that might upset them: · Do you want to break the news or shall I?· She suspected that she had cancer, and that the doctors were trying to break it to her gradually.· After Jack's body was found, a policewoman had to break the news to his mother.break it to somebody that: · He was wondering how to break it to Celeste that their relationship was over.break the news gently/break it to somebody gently (=tell someone something in a way that does not shock them too much): · Maybe I should speak to Connor first, so he can break the news gently to Patrick and Mary.
to not do something in the usual or traditional way to stop doing things the way they have always been done in the past: · The Church has finally broken with tradition and allowed women into the ministry.· I think it's time to break with the past and rewrite the constitution.
when you stop doing things the way they have always been done in the past: · In a significant break with tradition, the Queen will not attend this year's ceremony.· Political leaders are calling for a break with the past and a new spirit of cooperation.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 5break + NOUN
Janet slipped on the stairs and twisted her ankle. When dawn broke (=the first light of the day appeared), we were still 50 miles from Calcutta. a last-ditch effort to break the deadlock We spent the Easter holidays in Wales. He stretched out his hands to break his fall (=prevent himself from falling too quickly and hurting himself). Gandhi drank some orange juice to break (=end) his three-week fast. Fighting broke out in the crowds. She broke free from her attacker. Women are struggling to break free from tradition. The horses broke into a gallop (=begin to go very fast). You might get hurt if you stand there. Mind the camera doesn’t get broken. My dad got killed in a car crash. His latest movie looks set to break new ground (=introduce new and exciting ideas). He suggested a card game to relieve the monotony of the journey. The great ship slipped her moorings and slid out into the Atlantic. When the verdict was read pandemonium broke out in the courtroom. He was still following me, and in a panic I broke into a run. Scuffles broke out between rival supporters during the match. an attempt to break the stalemate Collins dealt with the reporters’ questions without breaking stride. She broke into a trot (=started running slowly) and hurried on ahead of us. The weekend was a welcome break from the pressures of work. He set a new world record for the marathon.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· I’ll never forgive him for breaking his promise to me.
(=break your promise)· I’ve promised to do it and I never break my word.
(=break a serious or formal promise)· He accused her of breaking her marriage vows.
· In the end she decided to break their engagement.
· He took the company to court for breaking the contract.
· This action broke the international agreement of 1925.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· The UN accused the country's leaders of breaking international agreements.
(=it stops working)
(=end it)· The Athenians broke off the alliance with Sparta and made alliances with Argos and Thessaly.
Janet slipped on the stairs and twisted her ankle. (=it starts)· The men were drunk and an argument soon broke out.
· He was taken to hospital with a broken arm.
· Most companies have broken down the old barriers of status among the workers.
· The vase fell and smashed to bits on the concrete floor.
(also a blaze starts)· The blaze broke out on the third floor of the building.
· He didn’t want to do anything to break the bond between them.
· The doctor thought that I had a broken bone in my wrist.· Luckily the bone wasn't broken.
· I hope you haven't broken a bone.
(=take down your tents ready to move to a new place)· In the morning it was time to break camp.
(=stops working because something is wrong with it)· On the way home on the motorway the car broke down.
· Armed clashes broke out on Tuesday between the military and the rebels.
· Austria's ruling government coalition collapsed.
· European steel producers were judged to be breaking the code.
(=discover how to understand a code)· The Enigma machine was used to crack the enemy codes.
(=a break from work to have some coffee)· Shall we stop for a coffee break?
(=stop someone concentrating)· The telephone rang and broke my concentration.
(=stop it existing)· We must break the connection between money and politics.
(=do something that your contract does not allow)· She broke her contract and left the job after only six months.
(=goes away in different directions)· Seeing there would be no more entertainment, the crowd began to disperse.
(=make a crowd go away in different directions)· A few warning shots were fired in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
(=stop a bad cycle happening)· If people can get jobs, they can break the cycle of poverty and debt.
When dawn broke (=the first light of the day appeared), we were still 50 miles from Calcutta. a last-ditch effort to break the deadlock (=prevent it from continuing)· Police moved in to break up the demonstration.
· Once the students have done their exams they deserve a break.
(=starts)· A disturbance broke out between local youths and a group of sailors.
We spent the Easter holidays in Wales. (=trade with a country illegally when there is an embargo)· It has been almost impossible to stop countries breaking the embargo.
(=suddenly end it)· Were you surprised when Toni broke off your engagement?
He stretched out his hands to break his fall (=prevent himself from falling too quickly and hurting himself). Gandhi drank some orange juice to break (=end) his three-week fast.· The police were called in to break up a fight outside a nightclub.
(=suddenly starts)· A fight broke out and one man was struck on the head.
Fighting broke out in the crowds. (=it starts suddenly)· A fire broke out in the engine room.
She broke free from her attacker. Women are struggling to break free from tradition. The horses broke into a gallop (=begin to go very fast). You might get hurt if you stand there. Mind the camera doesn’t get broken. My dad got killed in a car crash. (=stop having a romantic relationship)
· She cleaned up the broken glass with a dustpan and brush.
· This type of glass doesn’t break easily.
· I broke my glasses when I accidentally sat on them.
· The old man’s face broke into a grin.
His latest movie looks set to break new ground (=introduce new and exciting ideas). (=stop doing something that is bad for you)· I’ve smoked for years, but I really want to kick the habit.
(=stop doing the things you have done for many years)· It is hard to change the habits of a lifetime, but you must eat more healthily or you will have a heart attack.
(=into two equal pieces)· He tore the paper in half.
(=feeling very sad because of a problem in love)· I wonder how many broken hearts Carlo was responsible for.
(=make someone feel very sad)· It broke my heart to see him so sick.
(=a family in which the parents have separated)· Many of the youngsters came from broken homes.
(=make a short stop on a journey)· We broke our journey to have a picnic.
(=do something illegal)· Is the company breaking the law?
(=escape) A 34-year-old inmate broke loose from the sheriff’s office yesterday.
A 34-year-old inmate broke loose from the sheriff’s office yesterday. (=stop doing something in order to eat lunch)· Why don't we break for lunch about 1 o'clock?
(=a time when you stop working to eat lunch)· We took a half hour lunch break.
· After two failed marriages, she was not willing to risk marrying again.
(=ends because of disagreements)· Liz’s marriage broke up after only eight months.
He suggested a card game to relieve the monotony of the journey. The great ship slipped her moorings and slid out into the Atlantic. (=do things in a completely new way)· The program broke the mould of the traditional TV chat show.
(=to accidentally damage a nail on one of your fingers)· Oh, no, I've broken a nail.
(=stop them)· The two companies have broken off negotiations on the deal.
(=stop because of disagreement)· The negotiations broke down over a dispute about working conditions.
(=they feel very nervous or worried)· Her nerves were stretched almost to breaking point as she waited.
(=someone loses the courage to do something or continue something)· The police hoped his nerve would break and he'd give himself away.
(=tell someone some bad news)· Two policemen came to the door to break the news about her husband.
(=one that is not straight because the bone has been broken by a hit or fall)· a boxer with a broken nose
(=do something you promised not to do)· I do not expect you to violate your oath.
When the verdict was read pandemonium broke out in the courtroom. (=starts among a group of people)· Suddenly, everything went dark and panic broke out.
(=it ends and people go home)· The party broke up a little after midnight.
(=when something is done in a completely different way to how it was done in the past)· These policies are a break with the past.
(=a time when someone or something can no longer deal with something)· Our resources are stretched to breaking point.
(=not do what you promised to do)· Once again, the government has broken its promises.
(=one that has not been kept)· There have been too many broken promises.
(=starts to happen)· A fresh quarrel broke out between the players.
(=get a rash) My mother comes out in a rash if she eats seafood.
My mother comes out in a rash if she eats seafood. (=starts)· While he was away, a rebellion broke out in Aquitaine.
(=do better or be greater than an existing record)· He broke the world record twice.
· The penalties for breaking the regulations were severe.
· After the incident, Croatia broke off all relations with Serbia.
· She was very upset when I ended the relationship.
(=starts)· In 1821 revolts broke out in Moldavia and Wallachia.
· Riots broke out last month following the verdict.
(=do something different)· Bella didn’t break her routine for anyone.
(=a change)· I needed a break from routine.
(also violate a rule formal) (=not obey it)· He had clearly broken the official rules.· Any one who violates this rule will be severely punished.
He was still following me, and in a panic I broke into a run. (=send something to another country when this is not allowed)· Several companies broke trade sanctions by continuing to export weapons to the country.
(=becomes known)· When the scandal broke in 1990, it forced the resignation of the bank's chairman.
Scuffles broke out between rival supporters during the match. (=end the silence)· The sound of a car engine broke the silence.
(=make a hole in it)· Luckily the skin wasn't broken.
(=they suddenly smile)· Anna’s face broke into a smile at the prospect of a guest.
(=start singing)· The crowd spontaneously burst into song.
(=travel faster than the speed of sound)
(=end the effect of some magic)· No one knew how to break the spell.
an attempt to break the stalemate (=suddenly starts, after clouds have been increasing)· The storm broke at five o’clock.
(=report on it for the first time)· The Daily Mail was the paper which broke the story.
(=it is reported for the first time)· I still remember the shock when that story broke.
(=stop someone having complete control)
Collins dealt with the reporters’ questions without breaking stride. (=force workers to end it)· Attempts to break the strike failed.
· If your immune system breaks down, you will be vulnerable to infections.
· An alarm sounds a warning before the system breaks down.
· He is willing to break the taboo about discussing the effects of large-scale immigration.
(=stop because of disagreement)· Talks broke down today between the Russian and Japanese delegations.
(=suddenly start crying)· I broke down in tears when I read the letter.
(=not follow a tradition)· Why not break with tradition and study at Leeds, say, or London, instead of Oxford?
She broke into a trot (=started running slowly) and hurried on ahead of us. (=suddenly starts)· Violence erupted during the demonstration.
(=becomes higher or unsteady because they are upset)· Her voice broke and she was unable to continue.
(=becomes deep as he becomes a man)· His voice had only recently broken.
(=fail to do as you promised)· She accused him of breaking his marriage vows.
(=it starts)· They married just before war broke out.
(=fall onto the land or a boat)· We could hear the waves breaking on the shore.
(=stops being good)· We got almost all the harvest in before the weather broke.
British English (=a holiday that lasts a weekend)· She was looking forward to her weekend break in Paris.
(=start crying)· As she watched his plane taxi away, she broke down and wept.
The weekend was a welcome break from the pressures of work. He set a new world record for the marathon.· During my first attack I experienced some very inaccurate return fire which ceased just before I broke away.· LiLc Luther, they wanted to reform the church, but they were ready to 251 break away if they needed to.· The Derby defender was signing autographs outside the ground when he suddenly broke away and roared off home.· While being walked around the hospital grounds, he broke away and jumped in front of a speeding car.· John never forgave Lawrence for breaking away and going into competition with him.· Then one jet broke away from the rest.· When Ma died, he had always planned to break away completely, give up this life and build a new one.· He knew how difficult she would find breaking away from the life she had been living.
· It never breaks down, doesn't need a battery, and there is no additional expense once you own it.· Our hand torches for the night watch began to break down.· Table 2 shows for Lothian how the target breaks down by age group and what progress has been made to date.· As the service ended, several attendees broke down in tears, including 19-year-old rapper Mase.· All the known laws of science would break down at such a point.· Last year, we were broken down and beat up.· This can be broadly broken down for descriptive purposes as a program staff of 11, and a support staff of 4.· At constituency level as well, relations between the party and its traditional supporters were breaking down.
· The hunters were not even breaking even, yet the hunt continued despite the falling catches.· The Jayhawks won the tip, scored a layin with 11 seconds gone and went up 11-2 before even breaking a sweat.· Therefore, if the firms involved are to break even, how should they do it?· As the fiscal year ended, the company was just breaking even.· Erteco, for example, broke even for the first time only last year.· Port executives say that maritime operations should break even by 1999 or 2000.· Even La Scala, where an opening-night stall seat goes for £500, rarely comes close to breaking even.· He even broke down one horse in an effort to understand the gallop which had constantly eluded him.
· But after the initial blisters and a bit of breaking in, I've been fairly impressed with these boots.· You know that if it breaks in, the terrible will arrive.· The burglars broke in shortly before 1am yesterday.· Grissom, the hero of Game 2, broke in, planted himself, and looked up.· Surely they wouldn't go so far as to break in?· A number of traditional powers are struggling and there is a class of the nouveaux riches who are ready to break in.· Only the bravest would break in, light fires on the tile floors.· It is as stiff as many a leather boot, yet required but half an hour's breaking in.
· And from time to time the engagement is broken off.· Trondur reached under the edge of the raft, and broke off a small cluster of barnacles.· The piece of membrane where all of this action takes place breaks off and is swallowed up by the cell.· I broke off a twig and tossed it down.· Up to this stage it will have been fairly easy for them to break off their activities should the occasion demand it.· She added that when Gentry refused to acknowledge the loan publicly, she resigned as his treasurer and broke off their engagement.· From time to time he broke off his labours to return to the great court to look out for Tutilo returning.
· If such conformity had not existed, artists would not have felt such desire to break out from it.· There were about 500 construction workers renovating the tower when the fire broke out.· An argument broke out in the crowded pub after some drink was knocked over and Mr Brown tried to defuse the situation.· A white Democrat challenged him; a fight broke out and the Democrat was killed and Tolbert was wounded.· Needless to say, frequent arguments broke out as to whose turn it was to ride or pull.· If we decide to call all horses zebras, the animals do not break out in stripes.· In addition, a quarrel had broken out between Minna and Rena Kulass.
· The movies had broken through to a vast new public and everything was on a different scale.· Glass tinkled; she felt the impact afterward, the firm, cool glass, breaking through.· Now a new breed of Who seems to be breaking through.· But the Mets couldn't break through.· Only when he broke through into sight of the track and the buildings did the realisation hit him.· In the news business, where each day is a quick-march through breaking stories and unremitting deadlines, mistakes are inevitable.· The underground revolution was coming up to the surface, although it was nowhere near breaking through.· The ice is thick and he is a good deal less enthusiastic when the tip breaks through.
· Soon afterwards, the gathering broke up and the guests took their leave.· Other comets have also been seen to break up.· Provincial guillotines and scaffolds were dismantled and those not exhibited in museums were broken up and scrapped.· The Paris summit, meanwhile, broke up at the opening meeting when Eisenhower refused to apologize for the U-2 flight.· My new companions break up the cigarettes, and make tea with the herb.· If she experiences too many challenges at one step, then break up that step into even smaller chunks.· I mean, there were shoving matches that Security had to break up.
NOUN· They stuffed a sock into her mouth, pushed her inside and kicked her to the floor breaking her ankle and wrist.· Joe Wolf returns after missing the last part of the season with a broken ankle.· He knows when he does he's going to break his ankle.· In Calgary, his role is one of their top enforcers, with Sandy McCarthy sidelined by a broken ankle.· A flight attendant was thrown to the floor, breaking her ankle.· Metz augured in right behind him, breaking an ankle.· Twelve days after changing his spikes, J.. Mark Jennings slipped at a different club and broke his ankle.
· A long screech was followed by a thud as a matronly passenger tumbled forward, breaking her arm.· Next to Billy was little Paul Lazzaro with a broken arm. he was fizzing with rabies.· She had one or two accidents in the field herself, and once broke her arm.· My husband suffered a broken arm and severe head injuries.· The next day a father broke his son's arm.· Scabbards, broken arms, artillery horses, wrecks of gun carriages, and bloody garments strewed the scene.· The midfield player broke an arm during the midweek draw with Arsenal and will be in plaster for six weeks.· They race with broken arms and broken legs.
· Once the land round it was worked, but no one these days would break his back over soil so rocky and barren.· His two interceptions Sunday broke the back of the Pittsburgh Steelers as Dallas won the duel in the desert, 27-17.· Then Halfon broke his back in a construction accident.· But he suffered two fractured vertebrae in his neck and a broken lower back in a crash during practice two weeks ago.· Their thunderous charges have broken the back of many an invading army.· It is going to break my back, both of us know it, and there is no choice.· That was the straw which broke the camel's back and in the following 16 minutes United's game fell apart.· Like the steeplechase where Vronsky breaks his mare's back with reckless riding, you can only wait for the pistol shot.
· Middleton had denied breaking into the bank on 6 December last year while acting with others, with intent to steal.· Should Johnson return to the Dolphins, he will break the bank.· Shakespeare market a very good one through tackle dealers at a price that will not break the bank.· Don't worry about breaking the bank either.· The move follows reports that a new mechanised suction dredge is breaking up river banks, blocking rivers and killing fish.· Last year, Courtney broke the bank with seven out of eight predictions panning out.· I had no choice under the circumstances, and the fees won't exactly break the bank.· I would like to gather everyone somewhere warm and appealing to all ages and not break the bank in doing so.
· The Dolphin Centre has maintained its usual popularity with attendances again breaking the one million barrier.· We will reinforce the rights of the individual in the world of work, and break down artificial barriers to advancement.· But once hard drives broke the 100-megabyte barrier, that was no longer feasible.· Up to half a dozen may break the barrier.· The very language of this passage breaks all the barriers of a finite and static world.· To break down such barriers, Bow Valley last year decided to re-engineer the way in which it processed and distributed information.· Jackie Robinson breaks color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947.
· Rex broke two bones in his leg.· I was afraid of doing something wrong and ending up at the bottom in a mess of twisted metal and broken bones.· He watches her face and he smiles the way he smiled when I broke my bones.· On June 15, he broke a bone in his left leg when he fouled a ball off of his shin.· And slid down, unable to brake himself, breaking one bone then another.· Helps older adults maintain balance and coordination, which prevents falling, broken bones and other injuries. 2.· But the Eagles will be without midfielder Gareth Southgate, who has broken a bone in his right foot.· Murray was much worse: both legs broken and bone protruding through his pelt.
· They can be fined if they break the code.· Mathematicians of the finest calibre were essential for what then seemed the almost impossible task of breaking a code with astronomical permutations.· Mathematicians scribble equations on blackboards and program supercomputers to make the billions of calculations needed to break a tough code.· It broke a code of silence.· The Rabari are not so much hypocritical in their attitudes to breaking the Hindu code of vegetarianism as low-key.· To break this is to break the code, so it is rarely given.· In her acceptance she broke the code of propriety, went beyond the established manners in a light encounter.
· Farmers say supermarkets put them under pressure to sell at rock bottom prices-and regularly break contracts.· But these solicitors often break the law, and that's grounds for you to break the contract.· And I am also not some one to break contracts.· Now the masses are beginning to feel that the state has broken the social contract.· Many Whigs took the line that James had been deposed because he had broken his original contract with the people.· Last week, the district board postponed a decision on whether to break the contract.· Companies are not regarded as individuals under the Act and are therefore unable to break contracts once signed.· How can a teacher break a contract?
· If this is the case a two-day fast on fruit juice and water will break the cycle.· Rosie was determined to break out of the cycle of poverty that had trapped so many migrant workers.· Yet breaking the endless cycle of global poverty that powers these wars is achievable, Mr Annan says.· Only by sharing parenting, she wrote, could we break the cycle.· For many teachers a business secondment breaks their personal career cycle of school, university to school.· Therapists also teach couples new ways of speaking and listening, to break the blame cycle.· Whitelegg said that any less severe measures would fail to break the cycle of dependence on road transport and consequent congestion.· Going into mid-1993, the company had yet to break this cycle.
· Then, at last, Guido broke the deadlock.· House, Senate also try to break deadlocks on other issues.· Perhaps here was the key to break the deadlock, the key to the throne of the Wyrmberg.· Marco Van Basten grabbed his fourth goal of the season, 12 minutes after Daniele Massaro had broken the deadlock.· But birthday boy Wright was waiting to break the deadlock with the goal he had been seeking all night.· But Mr Razali is the first envoy to successfully break the deadlock.· Such an intervention could help break the current deadlock between Livingstone and the Government, which is heading for the courts.· Senior officials will meet again in October in an attempt to break the deadlock.
· But she broke off the engagement when he went home to do military service.· Buckling under the pressure, I broke off the engagement and did not return to the United States that fall.· Eileen breaks off her engagement, but Alan then resumes his relationship with the younger Beth, played by Julia Foster.· Fifteen years after the broken engagement, her attraction to Eddie was muddled neither by youth nor by the threat of matrimony.· In a fit of jealousy, Koons broke off their engagement.· They returned fire before breaking off the engagement.· But, without warning, she broke off her engagement.· Margarett Sargent had broken a year-long engagement, and nothing she had done since had retrieved her reputation.
· Half blinded by the foam, Christine scrambled for something to grab on to to break her fall.· It is down, straight down, into the rank and file, and there is nothing to break the fall.· The crucifix had been broken by its fall.· Not break, fall or cry each time a hateful picture drifted in front of her face.· When you fall forward, fully conscious or not, you put out your hands to break your fall.· As it breaks, the axeman falls and chops the conveyor creature in half.· It merely broke his fall and carted him a couple of miles up the road.· I watched her put an arm out to break her fall.
· Further fights broke out around the pub, and windows were smashed.· But it was in the evenings that the worst fights broke out.· A fight broke out within minutes, and lasted for several hours.· A white Democrat challenged him; a fight broke out and the Democrat was killed and Tolbert was wounded.· Here and there the anti-Fascists were grouped together and running fights broke out with the Blackshirts.· When the soldiers blocked university students from entering campuses the next morning, name-calling and fights broke out.· The soldiers then turned their attention to the police and a free fight broke out.· The fights in Seattle were broken up with pepper spray when as many as 4,000 people crowded into the streets.
· Ferry blaze FIRE broke out yesterday on a cross-Channel ferry sailing from Dieppe to Newhaven.· It means you could be trapped in the flat if fire breaks out.· There were about 500 construction workers renovating the tower when the fire broke out.· A fire broke out in her ammunition hold and the crew were taken off by an attendant destroyer.· A few years ago a terrible fire broke out in the nearby town of Dumka.· The trick is preventing the fire in the midriff breaking out into a public conflagration.· The round had not landed before small-arms fire broke out all around the perimeter.
· Fedorov and his men had knocked him down, broken his glasses and kicked him in the ribs.· Rotting food, excrement, broken glass had to be painstakingly cleaned up later.· The broken glass, the light-leavened panes.· When it did not open, I broke the glass angrily and stretched out my hand towards the branch.· Of Williams's car there was no sign except the broken red glass of a shattered taillight.· In that case they would have had to break the glass.· Everything is fine until he breaks his glasses.
· To break totally new ground is to abandon the conventional rules.· As soon as the funding is in place, perhaps this spring, the Perriseaus plan to break ground.· Here was a country striving for the noblest ideals, breaking new ground ... Straight up!· Obviously, none of this breaks new ground.· Although overdue, two elements of the bill can properly claim to be breaking new ground.· The troupe also continues to break ground with the trapeze, and choreographer Anne Bunker taps that talent with Expanded View.· In seeing development in terms of sub-regional areas the plan breaks new ground.· Instead, they are buoyed by positive illusions that they can break new ground or succeed where others have failed.
· In that context, will he break the habit of a lifetime and answer two questions straight?· Overcoming Overeating may be a powerful way for some women to break a long habit of compulsive eating.· So trying to break the habit actually increases the compulsion to smoke or to eat too much!· I tried to break the habit, but must have failed.· Patients who wore them were almost twice as likely to break the habit as those who wore a dummy patch.· It is hard to break the old habits.· To break the habit, try leaving sugar out of drinks for that magic two weeks.· It provides momentary comfort, but does little to break a troublesome habit or cure a nagging infection.
· Was your heart really broke, then, when your betrothed was killed at Waterloo?· Had my own heart broken by one inquisitive straight lady, way back in my desperate youth.· Her heart broke and her soul flew to heaven.· To her annoyance - and her dismay - Ashley felt her heart break into its usual erratic beat behind her ribs.· If their own heart is breaking it should not be allowed to show.· I know so many hearts are broken.
· If her brothers even suspected that she had been with a boy, all hell would break loose.· Talk about all hell breaking loose.· They establish a colony on Ragol but this perfect planet soon unleashes a few surprises and all hell breaks loose.· Ammo dumps were being detonated by incoming mortars and rockets, and all hell was breaking loose.· A sparrow hawk appeared - and all hell broke loose!· But then all hell broke loose, geologically speaking, as increasing numbers of sources for the rock were discovered.· And if she had ... If she had, all hell would have broken loose.· What actually happened was that I was as drunk as anybody in the barracks the night all hell broke loose.
· Humour Humour can be an excellent behaviour for easing tensions and breaking the ice between people.· This gambit nevertheless breaks the ice, and they begin by discussing the merits of various brands of scotch.· That always seems to happen when you break the ice.· In the winter, she rose early to break the ice in the washing bowls.· We broke the ice which held our relations in a paralysing grip.· I have to break the ice with a long pole before I can lower a bucket into water.· She helps break the ice when I am interviewing.· To break the ice, the dorm leader asked us to tell the group what our favorite home-cooked meal was.
· Neither man gave evidence but their counsels argued neither had believed they were breaking the law.· This question resulted in almost one-third saying that they themselves might break the law.· If they come to me confidentially and they're breaking the law, it will go back.· In the name of the freedom to inform, we might break the law.· We have to think of possible test factors which are related to both income and preparedness to break the law.· And take for his reward the lands of the folk he decides have broken the law?· That's none of my business so long as I don't have to break any laws.
· He's broken his leg, that's all.· Dempster breaks a leg in a fall from his gig, having driven drunkenly, and is brought home delirious.· No, Mr Winters, I won't break his bloody legs when I see him.· But your partner has just broken a leg and is recovering at home.· He was going like a winner when he came to the third from home, fell and broke a leg.· They race with broken arms and broken legs.
· A former Post Office engineer returned to the South after his marriage broke up.· Fond as he is of his inactive comforts, he regrets all marriages as breaking up happy families.· I was worried that she might shut me out and that our marriage might break up.· Divorce has become socially more acceptable, so more marriages break up.· He had married a Glasgow girl, probably in 1934, and the marriage broke up in 1939.· But consider this, she says: Six out of 10 marriages that break up involve children.· Is marriage broken by death, leaving the surviving partner free to marry again?· When the marriage broke down the husband asked the wife to leave the matrimonial home.
· The church planter must break the mould of self-sufficiency and dare to rely on his or her team.· He was not out to break the mould, just to collect better data.· Above left: Lauren Hutton broke the model mould.· But here and there, societies rouse themselves to break the mould.· A narrow élite among the wealthier landowners and bureaucrats was developing tastes and interests which broke the Orthodox mould.· For a brief moment in the late 1980s and early 1990s ecstasy broke this mould.· The new head of school who's breaking the mould.· There is a heavy price to be paid for breaking the mould.
· This was where Jackson's enemies needed to break the neck of his campaign.· Another rammed a barrier wall and broke its neck.· Eventually, Lennie's strength becomes too much for him, and he breaks a woman's neck accidentally.· The star of nearly 400 Western movies lay dead of a broken neck.· Then 4 seasons ago, he broke his neck in a club game.· His horse threw him, breaking his neck and killing him instantly.· He fell from a window and broke his neck, out there in the courtyard.· I thought I was going to break my neck before I ever hit the ground.
· None wanted to be the one to break the news.· I broke the news to some people.· Rashbrook broke the news as delicately as he could.· They want interactivity and breaking news.· Then she realised that Louise would have already broken the news to the bridge party.· Janet Canterbury was in Washington that week, and Ellie called both of us into her office to break the news personally.· Murphy waited until we were in the Polo Lounge to break the bad news.
· He broke Sonny's nose and closed his left eye.· Once, she fell and broke her nose and chin.· McClelland punched Mr Woodhouse twice in the face breaking his nose.· When he fell after being hit with the staff, he broke his nose on the ground.· It wasn't so much the threat of Dennis breaking his nose that had changed his mind.· More Sanders: He broke his nose against Green Bay when his helmet was shoved down.· He cut me above the eye and broke my nose which had been broken before.· Newsweek puts Geraldo on the cover with his broken nose so that Newsweek can sell more magazines.
· Except in the extreme and anomalous calm of the Sargasso Sea, big floating seaweeds would simply be broken to pieces.· Maxentius had Catherine tied to a wheel, which immediately broke into pieces.· At this point, Plagemann breaks up the pieces with a potato masher.· With remarkable poise, he quickly put the two broken pieces in one hand and made an attempt to paddle canoe-style.· She broke off a piece of baguette, spread it with butter and jam, stuffed it into her mouth.· Leaving a glowing trail over one thousand kilometers long, it broke into several large pieces as it progressed.· However, early on, as he introduced the superposition principle, Dirac would break in half a piece of chalk.· We buy our wild rice in broken pieces, which cuts the expense in half.
· Then, when he learnt that Felix had lost all his money, he broke his promise.· Maurice breaks his promises so consistently that he begins to seem a professional liar.· He must now break his promise to California.· Usually the sins confessed were minor in nature: a broken promise, a plagiarized term paper.· Maybe they just broke too many promises?· Day broke with every promise of a fine day.· By the end of his reign, he had broken all his promises.· Boyd, broke yet another pre-election promise by picking up another county car.
· They were arrested only days after breaking a world record by riding across a glacier in the Himalayas.· Dolan almost broke his own world record.· He was busy trying to break all records in the charity business.· Male speaker I don't mind if Aldridge breaks Tranmere's scoring record as long as we score more.· This fall, education officials say, enrollment will break that record when it tops 51. 7 million.· Eventually, human champions will stop breaking records too.· Stiles had 13 points in the first half, then quickly broke the record as the second half got under way.
· Do you therefore automatically break this legal rule?· Very slowly, I realize I can break the rules I hate.· Lord Irvine, head of the judiciary, insisted that he had broken no rules nor undermined the integrity of his office.· Nuccio claims he broke no law or rule by sharing sensitive intelligence data with a member of Congress.· If I break the rule, correcting the pattern is more complicated.· Expiatory punishment is strong punishment administered to children by parents or other adult authorities for breaking rules.· Officials kept ministers in the dark and broke rules by agreeing to pay developers and consultants in advance.· Yet Sister Mary had singled Miranda out as special though she broke the rules.
· The only sound to break the silence of the night was the soft mutter of my engine.· Protestant voices now and then broke the silence.· She would have to think of something to say in a minute to break the silence.· A footstep broke the silence and approached to within ten paces of Blackburn and waited.· They climbed the eighty steps to the house, Anne breaking the silence only to return the greetings of people they passed.· When a proposal or statement is followed by a period of silence, the person who breaks the silence loses - wrong!· Then one of them would break the silence.
· No more than usual, was the answer, but at last it was enough to break the spell.· Mrs Fanning had broken the spell of the wild and beautiful dancers.· The tiny sound of distress broke the spell and spurred Grant into action.· I feared my own words might break the spell of normalcy.· I, for one, would not break that spell, nor flaunt the laws that he has made.· The kiss of the prince breaks the spell of narcissism and awakens a womanhood which up to then has remained undeveloped.· He smiled at her and, in offering her reassurance, broke the spell that held them.· And again, louder, as if breaking a spell or casting one: Olppajin-saram.
· It was used to justify the introduction of the poll tax and to justify breaking up metropolitan counties.· In Bush's Texas the governor fought for property tax breaks while denying children basic healthcare.· He has proposed a new tax credit that reinforces the traditional use of special tax breaks to affect social policy.· But the float careered on and crashed into the 58-year-old tax official, breaking his leg.· The House and Senate voted overwhelmingly last month to repeal the tax break only after it had become public.· Now that names no longer get the tax breaks that were long the market's main attraction, it is an outdated nonsense.· Expanded IRAs for this higher-income group will give costly tax breaks to people who are already saving for retirement.
· The night war was declared Mrs Burrows broke down in tears.· I waited for Janir to break into tears.· Bacher broke into tears as he painted a damning picture of global match-fixing.· Charles Emanuel broke down in tears.· The princess breaks down in tears during a visit to Merseyside.· As the service ended, several attendees broke down in tears, including 19-year-old rapper Mase.· Marcos's widow Imelda broke down in tears but her daughters Imee and Irene maintained their composure.· Just two weeks later Nader Nadirpur broke down in tears.
· So, breaking with tradition, are several of the national missions.· For that reason, Apple broke tradition and did not include a programming language along with the machine.· Not that he broke with all tradition.· Unexpectedly, one of the House conferees decided that this action left her free to break with tradition as well.· To cross them was to break tradition, to sever one's links and become an outsider.· In 1940 Roosevelt broke with tradition and stood for a third term of office.· The Taft administration failed to break tradition on the issues critical to the black man.
· They were shattered by the sudden incursion of a resounding bass voice which broke into song.· In the midst of her burning words her voice broke.· M.D. playing female parts at school - until my voice broke.· Well, what can one-Her voice broke off, and her hands cupped her ears.
· The war, which broke out in August 1998, involves a number of foreign countries and several rebel groups.· What happens if a major war breaks out?· When war broke out he had to endure four months' internment as an enemy alien.· The full implications of this convergence between state socialism and nationalism only became apparent after war broke out in 1914.· The day I arrived in Texas, the war broke out.· Dad being a Territorial soldier, he was called up immediately war broke out in 1914.· Marvin should be one minute into telling the President that war was about to break out in the Persian Gulf.
· Heathcliff swore horribly at me and broke one of the windows.· He became aware that she was breaking away from the window.· Those broken windows were miraculously replaced in sunny May in anticipation of a visit from the first lady of the country.· She had laid the hammer there, after she had tried to break the tower window.· Rather than betray the others, Stockdale broke a window and slashed his wrists with a jagged shard of glass.· The single-storey kindergarten held 50 children in two rooms with broken windows and rotting wooden floors.· About eighty were injured, and most of the property damage was limited to broken windows and overturned cars.
VERB· Have you ever tried to break one of those things?· I tried to break the habit, but must have failed.· When he saw a gang trying to break into a car in Gateshead he and a neighbour chased the youths.· He was, in fact, trying to break the terrible news gently to his father.· He never tries to break punters.· There were too many things trying to break into his thoughts.· We are trying to break the speech patterns of these children, trying to get them to speak properly.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► break out in spots/a rash/a sweat etc► break something ↔ up► break something ↔ up► break something ↔ up► break somebody up► break a journey► break somebody’s spirit► break somebody’s power► break a leg► break something ↔ down► break something ↔ down► break something ↔ down► break something ↔ in► break somebody in► break something ↔ in► break into a smile/a song/applause etc► break something ↔ offPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► have something stolen/broken/taken etc► the man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo► you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs► potty break► break sweat► somebody’s waters break
- And as Mitchell broke through he was felled by Richard Walker.
- But the report said few secondary schools advertised at less than £60,000, and primary headships had broken through the £50,000 barrier.
- He admits to usually having a serious look on his face, though an occasional smile breaks through.
- One way of breaking through the barriers you may have put up to appreciating yourself fully is to play Boast.
- The ability of a new church to break through prejudice is a second, more pragmatic reason for planting churches today.
- The Phillies broke through an inning later against reliever Jim Bruske.
- The students' problems are often of long standing, and it may take a long time to break through.
- Yet the drama and the dramatic personality still insistently break through.
- And as Mitchell broke through he was felled by Richard Walker.
- But the report said few secondary schools advertised at less than £60,000, and primary headships had broken through the £50,000 barrier.
- He admits to usually having a serious look on his face, though an occasional smile breaks through.
- One way of breaking through the barriers you may have put up to appreciating yourself fully is to play Boast.
- The ability of a new church to break through prejudice is a second, more pragmatic reason for planting churches today.
- The Phillies broke through an inning later against reliever Jim Bruske.
- The students' problems are often of long standing, and it may take a long time to break through.
- Yet the drama and the dramatic personality still insistently break through.
- After a point, you break with the past.
- Although people complained about the volume, the rhythmic concept represented his biggest break with the past.
- Can the break with the past be more vividly described?
- However, the changes were not a complete break with the past.
- She has broken with the past.
- Thinking they were breaking with the past, the early Christians re-enacted it.
- Would there be a total break with the past?
- Yet the plan represents an important break with the past.
- I'd once helped her break a habit.
- It is important to understand that we are breaking a habit, for we have been conditioned to react in this way.
- These three actions are vastly superior to breaking a habit by will-power alone.
- Eventually, human champions will stop breaking records too.
- I said, Listen, man, the broken record was pressed by somebody else, not me.
- Instead of watching the scoreboard this week for broken records, the play-by-play announcer is watching the thermometer.
- The 18-year-old with size 18 feet just can't stop breaking records.
- It'll break your father's heart if you tell him you're quitting the team.
- It breaks my heart that his career has been ruined.
- It really broke his heart when she told him it was over.
- It would break her heart to leave the lovely old stone house where she'd lived for so long.
- When Annie left him, it broke his heart.
- The company has threatened to hire 700 new workers in order to break the 10-month-old strike.
- Mr Eastwood argues it would break ties with local communities.
- Personnel changes confirmed the new liberalism in the Soviet Union and the attempt to break links with past behaviour.
- Marvin gave me a smart kick under the table, nearly breaking the skin on my shin.
- A combination of ground and air action broke the back of the rebellion.
- His two interceptions Sunday broke the back of the Pittsburgh Steelers as Dallas won the duel in the desert, 27-17.
- In Czechoslovakia last March Martin Keown nearly broke the back of the net with a long-range effort.
- It would have been nice for him to wind things up by breaking the back of Britain's opposition to integration.
- Pouring over its latest simulation runs, Sun is confident it has broken the back of the technical problem.
- Their thunderous charges have broken the back of many an invading army.
- At under £14,500 it won't break the bank either.
- Attractive bathrooms need not break the bank.
- Don't worry about breaking the bank either.
- I had no choice under the circumstances, and the fees won't exactly break the bank.
- I would like to gather everyone somewhere warm and appealing to all ages and not break the bank in doing so.
- Last year, Courtney broke the bank with seven out of eight predictions panning out.
- Shakespeare market a very good one through tackle dealers at a price that will not break the bank.
- Should Johnson return to the Dolphins, he will break the bank.
- I never listen to music when I'm working - it breaks my concentration.
- A footstep broke the silence and approached to within ten paces of Blackburn and waited.
- Finally Shelley felt she had to break the silence.
- Only the eerie tinkle of leg irons and shouted commands break the silence.
- Protestant voices now and then broke the silence.
- She would have to think of something to say in a minute to break the silence.
- The only sound to break the silence of the night was the soft mutter of my engine.
- The roar of a furnace engine broke the silence.
- The sound of stockinged legs moving across the room finally broke the silence.
- I tried to break the ice by offering her a drink, but she said no.
- Humour Humour can be an excellent behaviour for easing tensions and breaking the ice between people.
- I have to break the ice with a long pole before I can lower a bucket into water.
- In the winter, she rose early to break the ice in the washing bowls.
- She helps break the ice when I am interviewing.
- That always seems to happen when you break the ice.
- This gambit nevertheless breaks the ice, and they begin by discussing the merits of various brands of scotch.
- To break the ice, the dorm leader asked us to tell the group what our favorite home-cooked meal was.
- We broke the ice which held our relations in a paralysing grip.
- It broke a code of silence.
- Mathematicians of the finest calibre were essential for what then seemed the almost impossible task of breaking a code with astronomical permutations.
- Lifting up one of his legs he broke wind loudly, causing Sarah to purse her lips.
- The boy might break wind or say a naughty word and forfeit the protection of that great white spirit.
- But once she had consolidated the break and served out for the set she was unable to summon the same assertiveness.
- He gave Edberg no chance of breaking him, serving four stunning aces and a massive percentage of first services.
- No surprise breaks of serve, no marathon games.
- There was a point where I broke her serve for 5-5.
- Dhani and Ian broke into a run, taking the high altar steps three at a time.
- He broke into a trot and the three surprised young men did likewise, aware that something must have gone wrong.
- He broke into a trot as he headed up the path to the staff-cabins.
- I walked briskly one block over to Cabana, the wide boulevard that parallels the beach, and broke into a trot.
- It was all I could do to stop myself breaking into a run.
- The animal was struggling with a loose shoe and was in no mood to break into a trot.
- Without waiting to find out what it meant, she broke into a trot and hurried on round the next corner.
- Why argue about the terms of the divorce when both of you just want a clean break?
- And this year the association has tried to make a clean break from the past.
- Gossip has it that his wife had recently left him and he wanted to make a clean break.
- He made almost a clean break with the game, except for some local television work.
- He says it indicates a clean break with a stupid and superstitious past.
- In such cases a clean break at 16+ removed many existing constraints and frustrations.
- It was best to make a clean break.
- Men may suffer just as much when a relationship fails, but they seem able to make a cleaner break.
- The adoption of an economy based on farming did not effect a clean break.
- During a commercial break, we met another lovely and somebody who plays defensive back engaged in witty banter.
- In the past, to the horror of soccer purists, broadcasters have cut away from live action for commercial breaks.
- It should be surprising but liberating: and undermine the other ads in the commercial break.
- Nothing must clash with a commercial break or run into the news.
- They were shown in the commercial break of the 10 p.m.
- Thankfully, we broke even in our first year in business.
- The company made a small loss last year but this year has managed to break even.
- We'll be just breaking even if we can get an average audience of 300.
- Even La Scala, where an opening-night stall seat goes for £500, rarely comes close to breaking even.
- I just figured I could come close to breaking even.
- If we can break even - as I think we will - it will be a qualified success.
- The company is aiming to break even at the pretax level in the year ending March 31.
- The hunters were not even breaking even, yet the hunt continued despite the falling catches.
- Thus the market is now a money-loser: it needs 47,000 contracts a day to break even, but manages barely 30,000.
- When you add fund expenses, you have to earn more than 2 % a year just to break even.
- With these advantages, the mission actually breaks even on the first flight.
- Officials have denied reports that the U.S. had broken faith with the island's government.
- Debbie told him to shut up, he slapped her, and then all hell broke loose.
- When a fan jumped onto the stage, all hell broke loose.
- A sparrow hawk appeared - and all hell broke loose!
- And then, all hell broke loose.
- But then all hell broke loose, geologically speaking, as increasing numbers of sources for the rock were discovered.
- Journalists woke him up in his bed with the news and, as I suspected, all hell broke loose.
- Not at all bad considering that all hell broke loose in September and the City was rocked by events outside its control.
- She started to strip off, all hell broke loose and he bolted while plain-clothes officers moved in to stage a cover-up.
- What actually happened was that I was as drunk as anybody in the barracks the night all hell broke loose.
- When the story was leaked to the press, all hell broke loose.
- A scholarly opinion can make or break a picture, as in the case of a Saraceni which we sold in 1989.
- He also said the board has the power to make or break a project.
- It could make or break with vibration or thermal expansion as the machine warmed up.
- It was make or break for us.
- Not only does it influence whether or not you fork out the requisite 65p, it can make or break a band.
- Royal watchers say the 47-year-old prince recognizes it is make or break time for him personally.
- Though generally they are only out by one grade, that can be make or break for some.
- Whether for dress or athletics, the fit of the shoe can also make or break a pair of feet.
- The new party promised to break the mould of British politics.
- All have broken the mould of the usual career path in engineering.
- But here and there, societies rouse themselves to break the mould.
- He was not out to break the mould, just to collect better data.
- Papen wanted to capitalize on the situation by breaking the mould of the Constitution and ruling by force against right and left.
- The church planter must break the mould of self-sufficiency and dare to rely on his or her team.
- The new head of school who's breaking the mould.
- There is a heavy price to be paid for breaking the mould.
- They have broken the mould of the old structuralist and determinist urban sociology.
- 31 Republicans in the Assembly broke ranks to vote with Democrats.
- Surprisingly, nine of the 31 Republicans in the Assembly broke ranks to vote with the Democrats.
- As she approached, one of them broke ranks and went to stand over Edward, apparently addressing him.
- But I broke ranks with him.
- Moderate Assembly Republicans broke ranks with conservative members to defeat a GOP-sponsored bill that would have returned corporal punishment to the classroom.
- Only then, in the shock of the open air at last, did we break ranks and go our separate ways.
- The older sisters played too, although one broke ranks to play volleyball in her junior college days.
- The pairs of glassy eyes no longer corresponded, in death they broke ranks, each distended eye gone its own way.
- The party has broken ranks, with five of its nine presidential hopefuls calling for a review of the revisions.
- This effort to head off support for the more costly Democratic bill failed to prevent 13 Republican senators breaking ranks.
- By healing the man is he keeping the Sabbath Holy or profaning it?
- One of the 10 commandments is to keep the Sabbath Holy.
- So the idea of keeping the Sabbath day holy was born.
- The people of Lewis keep the Sabbath and their honour.
- Only a kiss could break the spell.
- And if she took Johnny into the cottage, might this in some way break the spell and spoil the magic?
- He smiled at her and, in offering her reassurance, broke the spell that held them.
- I feared my own words might break the spell of normalcy.
- Mrs Fanning had broken the spell of the wild and beautiful dancers.
- No more than usual, was the answer, but at last it was enough to break the spell.
- Stepping off a chair with a rope around his neck and hanging there for a minute had broken the spell.
- The kiss of the prince breaks the spell of narcissism and awakens a womanhood which up to then has remained undeveloped.
- The tiny sound of distress broke the spell and spurred Grant into action.
- Stunned, the woman broke stride and spun around.
- Wonderful girl; didn't even seem to break stride.
- Even on a cold day, the old man could break into a sweat if he got beyond a full minute.
- He broke into a sweat, began to tremble, and then asked if we could leave.
- He was very weak and his body trembled and broke into sweats whenever he tried to sleep.
- I began to break into a sweat.
- I noted the Handbook clearly stated that you were not to expect the police to break into a sweat over your losses.
WORD FAMILYnounbreakoutbreakbreakageadjectivebreakable ≠ unbreakablebroken ≠ unbrokenverbbreak
1separate 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.2bones [transitive] to damage a bone in your body by making it crack or split: She fell downstairs and broke her hip.► see thesaurus at hurt3machines 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.4rules/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.5promise/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.6stop/rest [intransitive] to stop for a short time in order to have a rest or eat somethingbreak for Shall we break for lunch now?7end 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.8defeat 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.9destroy an organization [transitive] to damage an organization so badly that it no longer has any power: The government succeeded in breaking the unions.10day/dawn [intransitive] when the day or the dawn breaks, the sky gets light: Dawn was breaking by the time we arrived home.11storm [intransitive] if a storm breaks, it begins: We were keen to get back to the hotel before the storm broke.12weather [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.13waves [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.14somebody’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.15news 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.16break 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 habit17break 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 record18break a journey British English to stop somewhere for a short time during a long journey: We decided to break our journey in Oxford.19break somebody’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.20break 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.21break 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.23break the back of something to finish the main or worst part of something: I think we’ve broken the back of the job now.24break 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.25break somebody’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.26break the silence to end a period of silence by talking or making a noise: The silence was broken by a loud scream.27break somebody’s spirit to destroy someone’s feeling of determination: They could not break her spirit. The spirit of our soldiers will never be broken.28break somebody’s power to take away someone’s position of power or control: At last the power of the Church had been broken.29break 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.31break wind to allow gas to escape from your bottom, making a noise and an unpleasant smell32break (somebody’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.33break a leg spoken used to wish someone luck, especially just before they perform on stageGRAMMARBreak belongs to a group of verbs where the same noun can be the subject of the verb or its object.• You can say: · I broke a glass. In this sentence, ‘a glass’ is the object of break.• You can also say: · A glass broke. In this sentence, ‘a glass’ is the subject of break.Grammar guide ‒ VERBSCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 5break + NOUNbreak 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.THESAURUSto break somethingbreak 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 brokenbreak 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 verb1to 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. → breakaway22to leave your home, family, or job and become independentbreak away from I felt the need to break away from home.3to 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.4to move away from other people in a race or game: Radcliffe broke away 200 metres before the finish.5to become loose and no longer attached to something: Part of the plane’s wing had broken away.break down phrasal verb1if a car or machine breaks down, it stops working: The car broke down just north of Paris. The printing machines are always breaking down. → breakdown2to fail or stop working in a successful way: Negotiations broke down after only two days. I left London when my marriage broke down. → breakdown3 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.5if a substance breaks down, or something breaks it down, it changes as a result of a chemical processbreak something ↔ down Food is broken down in the stomach. Bacteria are added to help break down the sewage.6to 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. → breakdownbreak 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 verb1to enter a building by using force, in order to steal something: Thieves broke in and stole £10,000 worth of computer equipment. → break-in2to interrupt someone when they are speakingbreak 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.5break 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 verb1to 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.2to 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.3to start to spend money that you did not want to spend: I don’t want to break into my savings unless I have to.4break into a run/trot etc to suddenly start running: He broke into a run as he came round the corner.5break 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 verb1to 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.3if 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 verb1if 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. → outbreak2to escape from a prisonbreak out of Three men have broken out of a top-security jail. → breakout3to change the way you live because you feel boredbreak out of She felt the need to break out of her daily routine.4break 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 verb1 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.3to 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. → breakthroughbreak up phrasal verb1if 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.4break 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.5if a marriage, group of people, or relationship breaks up, the people in it separate and do not live or work together anymore: 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? → breakup6if 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 verb1to 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.2break 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.break1 verbbreak2 noun
breakbreak2 ●●● S2 W2 noun EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- After finishing school, Craig felt he needed a break from studying.
- Can you take a break next month?
- Come and see me at break, Tom.
- Could you come and see me during afternoon break?
- Daytona Beach is preparing for the thousands of college students who will arrive for spring break.
- Gary wants to work in television. He's just waiting for a break.
- Gonzales needs a break of serve to even the match up.
- Harry had worked for eight hours without a break.
- I'll phone you in my lunch break.
- I spoke to him briefly during a break in rehearsals.
- Nimoy's big break in television came in the mid-'60s, when he won the role of Spock on "Star Trek."
- OK, let's run through it again straight after the break.
- Seeing that advertisement in the paper was a lucky break for me.
- She's had a two-year break from competitive running, but now she's staging a comeback.
- She returned to her job after a six-month break.
- The break has not healed correctly.
- The children have a fifteen-minute break at 11 o'clock.
- The students get a few days' break in February.
- There was a break of two years between his last book and this one.
- But when one came it was on the break, Tovalieri getting Bari's third.
- During those breaks tea was brewed over Bunsen burners, and he sat back and answered questions.
- Some agencies are particularly keen to attract nurses who have had a break in practice and provide reorientation for new staff.
- Some new networks can heal themselves when a break occurs, without any involvement from a repairman.
- Superior Court Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki abruptly called for an early lunch break.
- There had been barely a break in their conversation as they hopped the rocks.
THESAURUS
especially American English, holiday especially British English time you spend away from school or work: · Are you taking a vacation this summer?· We met on holiday in Cyprus.· What are you doing in the school holidays?
a day that is set by law, when no one has to go to work or school: · the Thanksgiving holiday· New Year’s Day is a national holiday.· In 2002, there was an extra public holiday to mark the Queen’s golden jubilee.· the August bank holiday (=day when all the banks and shops are closed – used in British English)
a time when you stop working or studying in order to rest, or a short vacation from school: · a ten-minute coffee break· Lots of college kids come to the beaches during the spring break.
a time when you are allowed not to work: · We get four weeks’ annual leave (=paid time off work each year).· He has been taking a lot of sick leave (=time off work because you are ill) recently.· Angela is on maternity leave (=time off work when having a baby).· He was given compassionate leave (=time off work because someone close to you has died, is very ill etc) to go to his father’s funeral.
[usually singular] a period when someone, especially a teacher, stops doing their usual work in order to study or travel: · She was on sabbatical for six months.· I’m thinking of taking a sabbatical.
a period of time when a soldier or someone working in another country can return to their own country as a holiday: · While on furlough, he and his girlfriend got married.
(rest and relaxation) a holiday, especially one given to people in the army, navy etc after a long period of hard work or during a war: · Soldiers in Vietnam were taken to Hawaii for R & R.
Longman Language Activatorto break something into pieces to break something, either accidentally or deliberately: · She fell off her bike and broke her glasses.· If you break it you'll have to pay for it out of your allowance.· I broke one of her platters once, and I swear she's never forgiven me.· He once broke a window of his grandfather's greenhouse with a football.
spoken informal to break something: · The ball hit him in the face and bust his glasses.· He busted the side window with a bat.bust something up/bust up something: · Dean got really drunk and started busting up the bar.bust something down/bust down something: · The police had to bust down the door.
to break or damage something so that cracks appear in its surface: · A stone hit the windshield and cracked it.· I cracked one of the wine glasses when I was washing it.· The earthquake cracked walls and driveways and knocked out electricity and communications.
to break into pieces · She dropped a plate and it broke.· My watchband has broken.· The ice broke and they both fell through.· The cam belt broke and ruined the engine.
if something gets broken , someone breaks it accidentally: · If you leave your toys on the floor, they'll get broken.· A few of the cups got broken while we were moving house.· When her grandchildren visit, she puts away anything she doesn't want to get broken.
if something cracks , it breaks slightly so that lines appear in its surface: · The bell cracked after many years of use.· A few windows cracked from the heat during the fire.· The pipeline had cracked a long time before the oil spill occurred.
if something such as a floor, wall, or bridge gives way , it finally breaks because there is a lot of pressure or weight on it: · He was changing a light bulb when the ladder gave way.· The crowd surged forward and the fence gave way.· The whole side of the hill gave way after a week of heavy rain.
informal if something busts , it breaks: · The toy is made of a balloon in a cloth sack that can be hit without busting.bust open (=break in such a way that what is inside can come out): · His suitcase busted open, and everything went all over the floor in the hotel lobby.
to break something into two pieces to break something into two, fairly equal pieces: · The explosion broke the ship in two.· David broke the chocolate bar in half and gave a piece to Sue.
to break something, usually a long thin object, so that it makes a sudden, short loud noise: · He hit a rock and snapped the truck's axle.· High winds snapped power lines in the city, leaving more than 9000 people without power.snap something in two/in half: · He accidentally snapped his putter in half during one tournament.snap off: · The tip of the tree snapped off when it fell.
to break something such as wood into two parts along a straight line: · She learned to split logs and stack a woodpile.split something in two/in half: · Split the leek in half lengthwise, and cut it into 1/4-inch pieces.
to break into two pieces · The ship broke in two when it ran aground, and 900 tons of fuel oil leaked out.· When I pulled at the board, it broke in two and fell down.
if something snaps , especially something long and thin, it breaks into two pieces making a short loud noise: · A twig snapped under his foot.· Power lines snapped in the high winds.· One of the strings on my guitar snapped when I was tuning it.snap off: · The tip of the Christmas tree snapped off when it fell.
if wood, bone etc splits , it breaks into two parts along a straight line: · The window frames are old and the wood is starting to split.· When it crashed, the plane's fuselage split behind the wings.split in two/half: · The back of the chair had split in two.split open (=split so that there is a hole): · A metal tube split open in the steam generator of the nuclear power plant.
to break something into a lot of pieces to break something into a lot of small pieces, especially in a violent way, by dropping, throwing, or hitting it: · Firefighters smashed a bedroom window and rescued a two-year-old girl.· Her camera was smashed by soldiers when she tried to take photographs.smash something to pieces/to bits: · The boat hit the rocks and was smashed to pieces by the waves.
to break something, especially glass, into a lot of very small pieces: · The explosion shattered office windows 500 metres away.· Protesters shattered a glass door and tossed red dye around the entrance.
to break something, especially food, into very small pieces: · Beat the eggs, crumble the cheese, and mix together.· Mrs. Suggs crumbled the bread into hot milk.
to break into a lot of pieces · One of the mugs rolled off the table and broke into bits on the stone floor.· Investigators are not sure what caused the plane to break into pieces and plunge into the ocean.
if a large object breaks up , it breaks into a lot of pieces especially as a result of natural forces, or serious damage: · The ice breaks up quicker near the shore.· Two of the missiles apparently broke up in flight.· The comet was formed when a planet broke up at some time in the distant past.
British go to pieces American to break into a lot of small pieces, especially because of being weak, old, or badly made: · The book had been read again and again, until it finally fell to pieces.· I picked the bag up, and it went to pieces in my hands.· The trunk was full of old dresses, some of which were falling to pieces.
to break easily into pieces, especially because of being badly made or very old: · I only bought these shoes last week, and they're falling apart already.· His jacket started coming apart at the seams.
if something disintegrates , it breaks into a lot of small pieces so that it is completely destroyed or so that it completely changes its form: · A 50-foot section of the roadway began to disintegrate after only a few cars had passed over it.· The plane disintegrated in midair.· The mummified man's clothes had disintegrated almost completely, but appeared to be mainly of leather and fur.
if something, especially glass, shatters , it breaks suddenly into a lot of very small pieces because it has been dropped or hit: · The glass had shattered, but the photograph itself was undamaged.· Storefront windows shattered and roofs blew off during the hurricane.· Don't try to drive nails into the bricks, they may shatter.
to noisily break into pieces as a result of being dropped or hit: · I heard something smash. What broke?smash to pieces/bits: · The bottle rolled off the table and smashed to pieces on the floor.
if something such as wood splinters , it breaks into thin, sharp pieces: · These types of wood splinter more easily than redwood or cedar.· The coating helps prevent the glass from splintering if it is hit by a rock while you are driving.
to break easily into a powder or into small pieces, especially as a result of being old or dry: · The autumn leaves crumbled in my fingers.· Some of the tiles are crumbling around the edges.
if something such as a tyre or a pipe bursts , the force of the air, water etc inside makes it break into many pieces: · The Concorde disaster was caused by a tyre bursting.· Thousands of gallons of oil flowed into the river when an oil pipeline burst.
especially American if a tyre blows , it breaks open suddenly and all the air comes out of it: · One of the tires blew and they skidded into the center divider.
to break a piece from the main part of something to break off a piece of something: break off something: · She broke off a bit of bread and dipped it in the soup.break something off: · When the dough is chilled, break pieces of the dough off with your fingers, and roll into small balls.break something off something: · Break a leaf off the bush, rub it between your fingers, and smell the lemony scent.
to accidentally break off a small piece from the edge of something, such as a cup, plate, or piece of wood: · He fell off his bike and chipped his front tooth.· If you don't load the dishwasher right, it might chip some of the cups.
to break, so that one piece becomes separated from the main part if a part of something breaks off , it breaks and becomes separated from the main part of it: · I gave it a tug and the zipper broke off.· A military cargo plane made an emergency landing when one of the propellers broke off.· Icebergs break off from the ice sheets and float southwards.
if part of something comes off it becomes separated from the main part of it because it is not fastened to it firmly enough: · Can you fix the door? The handle's come off.come off something: · A wheel had come off a car, and rolled to the side of the road.
to easily become separated from a surface when touched, pulled etc: · The switch was attached to the plate and came away with it when I pulled.come away from: · Mix until the dough comes away from the side of the bowl.come away in somebody's hand (=become separated very easily or without you realising it): · Ralph pulled, and the lock came away in his hand.
to break a bone in your body · I broke my leg last time I went skiing.· She slipped on the floor, it'd just been washed, and broke her hip.· They thought he'd broken his back, but the X-ray showed it was okay.
to partly break a bone : · She slipped and cracked a rib.· Freeman cracked his skull in the accident.
to break or partly break a bone in your body - used especially by doctors: · My grandmother fell down the stairs and fractured her ankle.· He fractured both his legs in the car accident.
to break a bone in someone's body into a lot of small pieces, especially by shooting or hitting them: · The nine-year-old boy was hit by a car and shattered his skull on the pavement.· The bullet shattered a bone in her left forearm.
especially American, informal to break one of the bones in your body: · She fell and busted her knee.
easily broken objects that are breakable break easily because they are made of glass or another thin, hard material, and must be handled carefully: · Put breakable objects out of the reach of children.· Many laboratories spend thousands of dollars a year on breakable glass equipment.
not strong and therefore very easily broken or damaged: · The parcel was marked FRAGILE -- HANDLE WITH CARE.· The museum sends fragile porcelain objects to specialists to be restored.
something that is delicate is easily broken or damaged, especially because it is made of very thin material, and is attractive to look at: · The tea was served in delicate china cups.· a delicate gold necklace
hard and easily broken, especially because of being old and dry: · Perming makes your hair more brittle.· The building's electrical wiring was worn and brittle, causing a fire hazard.
something that is crisp is hard, thin, and breaks easily when you press on it: · The crisp, dry leaves rustled underneath her feet.· Brush the tops of the loaves with cold water, which helps form the crisp crust for which French bread is famous.
when you have the chance to do something a situation in which it is possible for you to do something enjoyable, useful, or exciting, or something that you want to do: chance to do something: · I never got the chance to thank him for all his help.· It's a beautiful building - you should go and see it if you have a chance.give somebody a/the chance to do something: · I wish he'd just give me the chance to explain.take the chance to do something (=use a chance when you have it): · You should take the chance to travel while you are still young.chance for somebody to do something: · "Back to School Night" will be a chance for parents to meet their child's teacher.somebody's last chance (=when you will not have another chance): · It was her last chance to see him before she left town.
a chance to do something, especially something that is important or useful to you, or something that you want to do very much: · It was too good an opportunity to pass up.opportunity to do something: · All he needs is an opportunity to show his ability.opportunity of doing something: · After they had refused him the opportunity of improving his position, he resigned.opportunity for somebody to do something: · We see this as an exciting opportunity for our companies to work together.have an/the opportunity (to do something): · She was delighted to have an opportunity to talk with someone who shared her interest in classical music.equal opportunities (=the same opportunities as other people): · All over the world women are demanding equal opportunities.
informal a sudden or unexpected chance to do something, especially to be successful in your job: · Gary wants to work in television. He's just waiting for a break.lucky break: · Seeing that advertisement in the paper was a lucky break for me.big break: · Nimoy's big break in television came in the mid-'60s, when he won the role of Spock on "Star Trek".
· I got a grant from my university to study in the USA for a year. It's a golden opportunity!a golden opportunity (for somebody) to do something · The management course is being paid for by the company and it's a golden opportunity to improve your skills.
the chance to do something very exciting or important that you might never be able to do again: · This job is the chance of a lifetime. You'd be a fool not to take it.· If you don't hurry up and make a decision, you could miss the chance of a lifetime.
a chance to do things you want to do, in the way that you want to do them. Scope is more formal than room: · He refused the post because he felt it didn't offer him much scope.room/scope for: · There will always be room for debate and disagreement in this class.· I have two jobs, which doesn't leave much room for socializing.· Despite our recent success, there is still scope for improvement.room/scope to do something: · We've left the course deliberately vague, so there's room to concentrate on your particular areas of interest.· Better paid labour means greater scope to increase the company's profits.
the chance of being successful at something in the future, especially your job: · He had no job, no family, no home, no prospects.· Employers are now offering more jobs with quality training and excellent career prospects.prospects for: · The prospects for an alliance between the two nations do not look good.
the chance to do something: possibility for: · The possibilities for improvement are endless.· We need to investigate all possibilities for helping these children.
to give someone an opportunity to do something, for example the opportunity to do a particular job: · My experience in the Peace Corps really opened doors for me when I started looking for a job.· Alice Coachman's Olympic success opened the door for generations of African-American track athletes.
continuing for a long time continuing for a long time without stopping: · Although we nearly always need extra drivers, we cannot guarantee continuous employment.· CNN provided continuous coverage of the trial.· The campsites have had three decades of continuous use.
continuous and seeming to be there all the time: · He suffered constant pain in the months before his death.· A newborn baby needs constant care and attention.· The refugees lived in constant fear of being attacked.
something good or pleasant such as peace or sleep that is uninterrupted continues for a long time with no interruptions: · On average, two-year-old children need ten to twelve hours of uninterrupted sleep a night.· Banks need uninterrupted, 24-hour computer systems.
an on-going activity, situation, or piece of work is not intended to end at a definite time, but will continue into the future: · The police refused to comment on the on-going investigation.· We have a major on-going research programme into North Sea pollution.
continuing without stopping: · She's been driving non-stop for hours.· Make sure he does some homework -- he'll watch TV non-stop if you let him.
without stopping for a rest: · Victor talked for forty minutes without a break.· On average, the human mind cannot concentrate on spoken information for more than six minutes without a break.
if something unpleasant or unusual continues for hours, days, miles etc on end , it continues for that time, distance without stopping: · The rain had been falling for days on end.· In Siberia the temperature can stay more than twenty below freezing for months on end.
if someone works or does something for ten hours, three days etc at a stretch , they do it for that time without stopping, although this may be difficult or unusual: · A lion can lie on the same spot, without moving, for twelve hours at a stretch.· Doctors who are forced to work 36 hours at a stretch cannot possibly be fully efficient.
if you do something for two solid hours, three solid weeks etc you do it continuously for that period with no breaks at all: · After eight solid hours of driving, I was exhausted.· Nobody really wants to sit through four solid hours of someone else's wedding video.
every day, every week etc for a long time: · The fighting went on week after week and there seemed no end to it.· She sits at home day after day, waiting for a message from her husband.
if something happens day in, day out , it happens every day and is always the same, with the result that it becomes very boring: · Working in a factory involves the same routine day in, day out.· He wears an old brown jacket day in, day out.
time when you are allowed to be away from work or school British a period of time when you do not have to go to work or school: · I get four weeks' holiday each year.· Work has been so hectic - I really need a holiday.the holidays/summer holidays/school holidays (=the long periods when schools close): · July 20th is the first day of the summer holidays.Christmas/Easter etc holiday: · Last year we spent most of the Christmas holiday at our grandma's.spend your holidays: · As a boy, Luckett spent his holidays here in Ledsham.in/during the holidays: · We try to do as many different activities as we can with the children during the school holidays.
especially American a period of time when you do not have to go to work or school: · I want you to write about your vacation.· The company allows us 14 vacation days a year.summer/Christmas etc vacation: · Under the new plan, students will have shorter summer vacations and longer winter vacations.spend your vacation: · I spent part of my Christmas vacation with my dad's family.during summer/winter etc vacation: · The skating rink will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during summer vacation.during somebody's/a vacation: · He worked at the resort during his college vacations.
a short holiday from your work or school: · The students get a few days' break in February.spring/winter/Christmas etc break: · Daytona Beach is preparing for the thousands of college students who will arrive for spring break.take a break: · Can you take a break next month?
a period of time when you are allowed to be away from work: · Wednesday is my only day off this week.have/take a day off: · I've got a day off on Friday -- I'll come and see you then.· Can you take the morning off tomorrow?
time when you are allowed to be away from your work, in order to rest or do something different: have/take time off: · Is Phyllis taking any time off when you're there?· I'll get some time off around Christmas.
a period of official holiday time, especially for people who are in the army, navy, or police etc: · I get twenty-five days' leave a year.· Phil still has three days' annual leave owing to him.be on leave (=having a holiday): · They got married while he was on leave from the army.
British a short holiday in the middle of the school term: · It rained all through half-term.· Half-term is the last week in October.
a short period of time when schoolwork, a meeting, a game etc stops a short time between school classes when children can play, eat something etc: · The children have a fifteen-minute break at 11 o'clock.· Could you come and see me during afternoon break?
also interval British a planned pause during a play, concert, or film: · There will now be a short intermission.· Drinks will be on sale during the interval.
a planned pause during a play or concert, when music is often played: a musical/comic etc interlude: · Halfway through the performance there was a short musical interlude.· The dance provided a delightful comic interlude.
especially British /recess especially American a pause when a court, formal meeting, talks etc stop for a short time, so that more information can be collected or so that people can discuss something: · Mr Robertson applied for an adjournment, to see if witnesses could be traced.· The heated debate continued after a ninety-minute adjournment.· Peace talks resumed on June 15th, after a month-long recess.call a recess: · At four o'clock, the judge called a recess, and the jury was led out of the courtroom.be in recess: · The court will be in recess for twenty minutes.
when Parliament or Congress stops meeting for a period of time, in order to have a holiday : the summer/Easter/Christmas recess: · The Bill was brought before the House of Commons and passed before the summer recess.· Congress's two-week Easter recessbe in recess: · The House is in recess until January 22nd, when it will vote on the Bill.
a period of time when you stop doing something a long or short period when you stop your work or normal activities, before continuing them again later: · She returned to her job after a six-month break.break from: · After finishing school, Craig felt he needed a break from studying.lunch/coffee/tea break (=when you stop work to have lunch, coffee etc): · You get a one hour lunch break, and fifteen minutes for a coffee break in the afternoon.
written a short period during which you stop speaking or stop doing something before starting again: · After a long pause, Barney said: "Yes, I suppose you're right."pause in: · There was a pause in the conversation as everyone turned to say hello to Paul.a pregnant pause (=a pause when someone is expected to say something, especially something awkward or embarrassing): · "Where's Matt?" There was a long and pregnant pause.
a short time when something unpleasant stops happening so that the situation is temporarily better: · The noise went on all night, without a single moment's respite.respite from: · The citizens had only a few days' respite from the conflict, before the shelling began again.be no/little respite: · Weathermen yesterday warned that there would be no respite from the gales.a brief/short-lived/temporary respite: · The drug can only provide a brief respite from the pain.a welcome respite: · Some mothers regard work as a welcome respite from the stress of looking after a home and children.
a short time when something unpleasant stops happening so that the situation is temporarily better. Letup is more informal than respite: · There was a short letup in the downpour after lunch.without (a) letup: · The fighting raged without a letup through the night,letup in: · Kline warned against any letup in the pilot's concentration.
a temporary break in busy activity, noise, talking, fighting etc: · There was a lull, and then the thunder came again.lull in: · Managers at Metrocentre have reported a lull in the recession, as takings continue to soar.· For two days there had been a lull in the fighting.· I waited for a lull in the conversation, before getting up to go.
a short time when you stop doing something difficult, tiring etc, so that people have time to think more clearly about the situation: · At last a temporary agreement was reached, which gave both sides a breathing space.breathing space to do something: · After the divorce, I badly needed some breathing space to try and rebuild my life.
to stop doing something in order to rest, eat etc especially spoken to stop working for a while in order to rest, eat etc: · We're all getting tired. Let's take a break for ten minutes.· Is it all right if we have a break at about 10.30?have a quick/short/five minute etc break: · If you're working at a computer, it's best if you have a quick break at least once an hour.
American informal to stop for a while in order to rest: · Let's take five and get some coffee.
informal to stop for a while because you want a rest, especially because you have been doing something very difficult or tiring: · It's 12 o' clock. Why don't we take a breather?· I'd only been running for five minutes, but I had to stop and take a breather.
to stop working and have lunch, a coffee break, a holiday etc: · At 12.30, the committee broke for lunch.· There's still an enormous amount of work to do before we break for Christmas.
to stop for a while and rest, either because you are tired or in order to do something else: · Try to take time out and get together with the kids.take time out to do something: · Taking time out to relax each day is important during pregnancy.take time out from/of: · The President took time out from his busy schedule to speak to the crowds.
also recess American formal if a meeting or court adjourns , or if someone in authority adjourns it, the meeting or court stops for a short time, for example so that more information can be collected: · If there are no more questions, the committee will adjourn until tomorrow morning.· "The court will recess for twenty minutes," Judge Bart said.· The trial was adjourned for two weeks until the psychiatrist's report was ready.
a period when you rest a period of time when you do not have to do anything tiring or active, and you can relax or sleep: · By the fourth day, we were all in need of a rest.get some/enough etc rest: · He eats a lot of junk food, and he doesn't get enough rest.a good rest (=one that makes you feel completely relaxed): · Make sure you have a good rest this weekend.
a short time when you stop what you are doing so that you can rest or eat: · OK, let's run through it again straight after the break.take/have a break from something: · She's had a two-year break from competitive running, but now she's staging a comeback.break in: · I spoke to him briefly during a break in rehearsals.without a break (=not stopping to rest or eat): · Harry had worked for eight hours without a break.coffee/tea/lunch break: · I'll phone you in my lunch break.
British /recess American a time between classes when the children in a school can go outside and play, in order to rest from studying and learning: · The children played kickball during recess.· Come and see me at break, Tom.
activities that you do to help you rest and stop thinking or worrying about your work, study etc: · You should find time for some relaxation every day· relaxation techniques, such as meditation· What do you do for relaxation?
to rest to stop working or stop being active, and sit down or lie down so that you become less tired: · If you're tired, we'll stop and rest for a while.· The doctor told me to take some time off work and try to rest.
also have a rest especially British to rest for a short time in the middle of a tiring activity: · Don't stay in front of the computer for long periods of time -- take a rest occasionally.· There was a TV in the hotel room, and sometimes I escaped up there to have a rest.take/have a rest from something: · A spokesman said that the Senator needed to take a rest from the campaign activity.
to do something that makes you feel calm and comfortable and helps you to forget about your work and problems: · Take a deep breath, and relax.· They had a lovely weekend, relaxing and lying by the pool.help somebody (to) relax: · Drink this. It will help you relax.
also have a break especially British to stop what you are doing for a short time, so that you can rest: · Let's take a break now for coffee.take/have a short/quick break: · Is it all right if we have a short break at about 10:30?take/have a break from something: · I spoke to the Secretary of State as he took a break from preparing his speech.
also have a lie down/go for a lie down British to put yourself in a flat position, usually on a bed, in order to rest when you are tired, although not necessarily in order to sleep: · During the day, I get so tired I have to lie down on the bed for a couple of hours.· Towards evening she grew tired, and went to her room for a lie down.
informal to rest for a short time after a tiring activity, especially by sitting with your feet resting on something: · Well, at least put your feet up for a few minutes. Would you like a drink?· When you're pregnant and doing a full-time job, you must find time to put your feet up.
to rest, especially by lying in a pleasant place, often when you should be working or doing something: laze in/on/around etc: · I found him lazing around in bed with a cup of coffee and the paper.· On the porch, two large cats sat lazing in the sun.
also take things easy to do things gently and with less effort than usual in order to avoid becoming worried or tired, especially because you are not feeling strong or healthy: · After the operation, I was told to take things easy for a month or two.· Maybe we should just go home and take it easy tonight.
spoken to spend time resting or doing something enjoyable which does not need much effort: · We chilled out in front of the TV with a couple of beers.· Yeah, my family left a few minutes ago, so I'm just chilling for a while.
to run · You'll have to run or you'll miss the bus.· He kept on running until he was out in the open country.run across/through/along etc · A dog ran straight out in front of my car.· Run to the bathroom and get a towel.run for the bus/train etc (=in order to catch it) · Just running for the bus leaves me out of breath.run away/off (=run fast in order to leave a place) · They grabbed her purse and then ran off towards the subway.· Neil tried to catch the frightened animal, but it ran away from him.run around/round (=run in several different directions over a fairly large area, for fun) · The kids were running around and being silly.run after somebody/something (=chase someone) · Her dog was running after a rabbit and did not hear her calling.
to run very quickly for a short distance, especially because you have to do something urgently: dash around/into/across etc: · Gillian saw two men dash past, but they didn't notice her.· I eventually found the place, and dashed up the stairs.dash off (=leave a place very quickly, for example because you are late): · We only have a few moments, because Heidi's got to dash off soon.
informal to start running quickly towards a place or thing to try to reach it or escape something: · It was raining, and we made a run for the car.· When the lecture was finally ovr, the students made a break for the exit.make a run/dash/break for it (=try to escape): · As soon as the guard turns around, we'll make a run for it.make a made dash for something (=run very quickly): · She heard the whistle and made a mad dash for the departing train.
to run as fast as you can, usually over a short distance: sprint towards/out/across etc: · Margaret sprinted down the street, almost collapsing when she reached us.sprint for the bus/train etc (=in order to catch it.): · The bus driver must have seen me sprinting for the bus, but he drove off.
to run fairly slowly, taking short steps: trot in/across/towards etc: · She trotted softly through the passageway to the gate. · I looked up, and saw a dog trotting along the sidewalk toward me.trot along/back/off : · Dorothy arrived, with a little dog trotting along behind her.
to run very quickly and without really looking where you are going, because you are in a hurry: tear along/past/through etc: · Bobby tore past, shouting something about being late for work.· A masked man came tearing out of the bank and jumped into a waiting car.tear off (=leave somewhere running very quickly): · Mary tore off downstairs, determined to see the visitors for herself.
to run quickly and with a lot of energy, especially when you are going to attack someone or something: charge at/towards/into etc: · The doors flew open, and Pascoe charged across the foyer, scattering people in all directions. · Riot police with batons charged at soccer fans twice during last night's international with Spain.charge off (=leave somewhere in a hurry): · Don't charge off, I want a word with you.
to suddenly start running, especially after you have been walking: · Suddenly two of the prisoners broke into a run, heading as fast as they could for the fence.· He walked swiftly, resisting the urge to break into a run.
to move quickly forward with long high jumps: bound towards/across/up etc: · A big black Alsatian dog came bounding up to her.· There was a shout, and suddenly Adrian bounded into the room.
to not do something in the usual or traditional way to stop doing things the way they have always been done in the past: · The Church has finally broken with tradition and allowed women into the ministry.· I think it's time to break with the past and rewrite the constitution.
when you stop doing things the way they have always been done in the past: · In a significant break with tradition, the Queen will not attend this year's ceremony.· Political leaders are calling for a break with the past and a new spirit of cooperation.
WORD SETSbalk, verbball game, nounball park, nounballplayer, nounbase, nounbaseline, nounbat, verbbatter, nounblooper, nounbreak, nounbull pen, nounbunt, verbcatch, verbcatcher, nouncentre, noundesignated hitter, noundiamond, noundouble, noundouble, verbdouble-header, noundouble play, nounfastball, nounfirst base, nounfly, verbfly, nounfly ball, nounfoul, verbgrand slam, noungrounder, nounheavy hitter, nounhome base, nounhome plate, nounhomer, nounhome run, nouninfield, nouninning, nounmidfielder, nounmitt, nounmound, nounpark, nounpinch-hit, verbpitch, nounpitch, verbpitcher, nounpitchout, nounplate, nounpop fly, nounrebound, verbrebound, nounrun, nounshortstop, nounshut-out, nounsingle, nounslam dunk, nounslugger, nounspring training, nounsteal, verbstrikeout, nountriple, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs Janet slipped on the stairs and twisted her ankle. When dawn broke (=the first light of the day appeared), we were still 50 miles from Calcutta. a last-ditch effort to break the deadlock We spent the Easter holidays in Wales. He stretched out his hands to break his fall (=prevent himself from falling too quickly and hurting himself). Gandhi drank some orange juice to break (=end) his three-week fast. Fighting broke out in the crowds. She broke free from her attacker. Women are struggling to break free from tradition. The horses broke into a gallop (=begin to go very fast). You might get hurt if you stand there. Mind the camera doesn’t get broken. My dad got killed in a car crash. His latest movie looks set to break new ground (=introduce new and exciting ideas). He suggested a card game to relieve the monotony of the journey. The great ship slipped her moorings and slid out into the Atlantic. When the verdict was read pandemonium broke out in the courtroom. He was still following me, and in a panic I broke into a run. Scuffles broke out between rival supporters during the match. an attempt to break the stalemate Collins dealt with the reporters’ questions without breaking stride. She broke into a trot (=started running slowly) and hurried on ahead of us. The weekend was a welcome break from the pressures of work. He set a new world record for the marathon.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· After two hours, she took a break and switched on the radio.
· I’m sorry, I can’t do any more - I need a break.
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + break· Shall we have a quick five-minute break?
· What time’s your lunch break?
· How about a coffee break?
· I don’t usually have time for a morning break.
(=one that you deserve)· Everyone’s looking forward to a well-earned break when the exams are over.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· The UN accused the country's leaders of breaking international agreements.
(=it stops working)
(=end it)· The Athenians broke off the alliance with Sparta and made alliances with Argos and Thessaly.
Janet slipped on the stairs and twisted her ankle. (=it starts)· The men were drunk and an argument soon broke out.
· He was taken to hospital with a broken arm.
· Most companies have broken down the old barriers of status among the workers.
· The vase fell and smashed to bits on the concrete floor.
(also a blaze starts)· The blaze broke out on the third floor of the building.
· He didn’t want to do anything to break the bond between them.
· The doctor thought that I had a broken bone in my wrist.· Luckily the bone wasn't broken.
· I hope you haven't broken a bone.
(=take down your tents ready to move to a new place)· In the morning it was time to break camp.
(=stops working because something is wrong with it)· On the way home on the motorway the car broke down.
· Armed clashes broke out on Tuesday between the military and the rebels.
· Austria's ruling government coalition collapsed.
· European steel producers were judged to be breaking the code.
(=discover how to understand a code)· The Enigma machine was used to crack the enemy codes.
(=a break from work to have some coffee)· Shall we stop for a coffee break?
(=stop someone concentrating)· The telephone rang and broke my concentration.
(=stop it existing)· We must break the connection between money and politics.
(=do something that your contract does not allow)· She broke her contract and left the job after only six months.
(=goes away in different directions)· Seeing there would be no more entertainment, the crowd began to disperse.
(=make a crowd go away in different directions)· A few warning shots were fired in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
(=stop a bad cycle happening)· If people can get jobs, they can break the cycle of poverty and debt.
When dawn broke (=the first light of the day appeared), we were still 50 miles from Calcutta. a last-ditch effort to break the deadlock (=prevent it from continuing)· Police moved in to break up the demonstration.
· Once the students have done their exams they deserve a break.
(=starts)· A disturbance broke out between local youths and a group of sailors.
We spent the Easter holidays in Wales. (=trade with a country illegally when there is an embargo)· It has been almost impossible to stop countries breaking the embargo.
(=suddenly end it)· Were you surprised when Toni broke off your engagement?
He stretched out his hands to break his fall (=prevent himself from falling too quickly and hurting himself). Gandhi drank some orange juice to break (=end) his three-week fast.· The police were called in to break up a fight outside a nightclub.
(=suddenly starts)· A fight broke out and one man was struck on the head.
Fighting broke out in the crowds. (=it starts suddenly)· A fire broke out in the engine room.
She broke free from her attacker. Women are struggling to break free from tradition. The horses broke into a gallop (=begin to go very fast). You might get hurt if you stand there. Mind the camera doesn’t get broken. My dad got killed in a car crash. (=stop having a romantic relationship)
· She cleaned up the broken glass with a dustpan and brush.
· This type of glass doesn’t break easily.
· I broke my glasses when I accidentally sat on them.
· The old man’s face broke into a grin.
His latest movie looks set to break new ground (=introduce new and exciting ideas). (=stop doing something that is bad for you)· I’ve smoked for years, but I really want to kick the habit.
(=stop doing the things you have done for many years)· It is hard to change the habits of a lifetime, but you must eat more healthily or you will have a heart attack.
(=into two equal pieces)· He tore the paper in half.
(=feeling very sad because of a problem in love)· I wonder how many broken hearts Carlo was responsible for.
(=make someone feel very sad)· It broke my heart to see him so sick.
(=a family in which the parents have separated)· Many of the youngsters came from broken homes.
(=make a short stop on a journey)· We broke our journey to have a picnic.
(=do something illegal)· Is the company breaking the law?
(=escape) A 34-year-old inmate broke loose from the sheriff’s office yesterday.
A 34-year-old inmate broke loose from the sheriff’s office yesterday. (=stop doing something in order to eat lunch)· Why don't we break for lunch about 1 o'clock?
(=a time when you stop working to eat lunch)· We took a half hour lunch break.
· After two failed marriages, she was not willing to risk marrying again.
(=ends because of disagreements)· Liz’s marriage broke up after only eight months.
He suggested a card game to relieve the monotony of the journey. The great ship slipped her moorings and slid out into the Atlantic. (=do things in a completely new way)· The program broke the mould of the traditional TV chat show.
(=to accidentally damage a nail on one of your fingers)· Oh, no, I've broken a nail.
(=stop them)· The two companies have broken off negotiations on the deal.
(=stop because of disagreement)· The negotiations broke down over a dispute about working conditions.
(=they feel very nervous or worried)· Her nerves were stretched almost to breaking point as she waited.
(=someone loses the courage to do something or continue something)· The police hoped his nerve would break and he'd give himself away.
(=tell someone some bad news)· Two policemen came to the door to break the news about her husband.
(=one that is not straight because the bone has been broken by a hit or fall)· a boxer with a broken nose
(=do something you promised not to do)· I do not expect you to violate your oath.
When the verdict was read pandemonium broke out in the courtroom. (=starts among a group of people)· Suddenly, everything went dark and panic broke out.
(=it ends and people go home)· The party broke up a little after midnight.
(=when something is done in a completely different way to how it was done in the past)· These policies are a break with the past.
(=a time when someone or something can no longer deal with something)· Our resources are stretched to breaking point.
(=not do what you promised to do)· Once again, the government has broken its promises.
(=one that has not been kept)· There have been too many broken promises.
(=starts to happen)· A fresh quarrel broke out between the players.
(=get a rash) My mother comes out in a rash if she eats seafood.
My mother comes out in a rash if she eats seafood. (=starts)· While he was away, a rebellion broke out in Aquitaine.
(=do better or be greater than an existing record)· He broke the world record twice.
· The penalties for breaking the regulations were severe.
· After the incident, Croatia broke off all relations with Serbia.
· She was very upset when I ended the relationship.
(=starts)· In 1821 revolts broke out in Moldavia and Wallachia.
· Riots broke out last month following the verdict.
(=do something different)· Bella didn’t break her routine for anyone.
(=a change)· I needed a break from routine.
(also violate a rule formal) (=not obey it)· He had clearly broken the official rules.· Any one who violates this rule will be severely punished.
He was still following me, and in a panic I broke into a run. (=send something to another country when this is not allowed)· Several companies broke trade sanctions by continuing to export weapons to the country.
(=becomes known)· When the scandal broke in 1990, it forced the resignation of the bank's chairman.
Scuffles broke out between rival supporters during the match. (=end the silence)· The sound of a car engine broke the silence.
(=make a hole in it)· Luckily the skin wasn't broken.
(=they suddenly smile)· Anna’s face broke into a smile at the prospect of a guest.
(=start singing)· The crowd spontaneously burst into song.
(=travel faster than the speed of sound)
(=end the effect of some magic)· No one knew how to break the spell.
an attempt to break the stalemate (=suddenly starts, after clouds have been increasing)· The storm broke at five o’clock.
(=report on it for the first time)· The Daily Mail was the paper which broke the story.
(=it is reported for the first time)· I still remember the shock when that story broke.
(=stop someone having complete control)
Collins dealt with the reporters’ questions without breaking stride. (=force workers to end it)· Attempts to break the strike failed.
· If your immune system breaks down, you will be vulnerable to infections.
· An alarm sounds a warning before the system breaks down.
· He is willing to break the taboo about discussing the effects of large-scale immigration.
(=stop because of disagreement)· Talks broke down today between the Russian and Japanese delegations.
(=suddenly start crying)· I broke down in tears when I read the letter.
(=not follow a tradition)· Why not break with tradition and study at Leeds, say, or London, instead of Oxford?
She broke into a trot (=started running slowly) and hurried on ahead of us. (=suddenly starts)· Violence erupted during the demonstration.
(=becomes higher or unsteady because they are upset)· Her voice broke and she was unable to continue.
(=becomes deep as he becomes a man)· His voice had only recently broken.
(=fail to do as you promised)· She accused him of breaking his marriage vows.
(=it starts)· They married just before war broke out.
(=fall onto the land or a boat)· We could hear the waves breaking on the shore.
(=stops being good)· We got almost all the harvest in before the weather broke.
British English (=a holiday that lasts a weekend)· She was looking forward to her weekend break in Paris.
(=start crying)· As she watched his plane taxi away, she broke down and wept.
The weekend was a welcome break from the pressures of work. He set a new world record for the marathon.· She was a working class woman on her own, looking for that big break.· This may have been my biggest break of all.· But their hard, streetwise experience gave their big break.· It was supposed to be my big break, do you remember?· All from a guy whose big break was being named the Suns' first general manager at 28.
· In such cases a clean break at 16+ removed many existing constraints and frustrations.· It was best to make a clean break.· Men may suffer just as much when a relationship fails, but they seem able to make a cleaner break.· So she would be ruthless about making a clean and immediate break.· He says it indicates a clean break with a stupid and superstitious past.· Gossip has it that his wife had recently left him and he wanted to make a clean break.· The adoption of an economy based on farming did not effect a clean break.· And this year the association has tried to make a clean break from the past.
· In the past, to the horror of soccer purists, broadcasters have cut away from live action for commercial breaks.· During a commercial break, we met another lovely and somebody who plays defensive back engaged in witty banter.· They were shown in the commercial break of the 10 p.m.
· However, the changes were not a complete break with the past.· He wants a complete break from golf.· They cynically target the newly redundant and suggest a complete break with their old firm.· More than most, you know how to make a complete break with the past.· However, there was no complete break with Britain.
· Voice over Brian Horton takes a squad of fifteen ... Mike Ford returns to the team after a long break through injury.· When the longer breaks were implemented, the change was met with an enthusiastic response from both workers and observers.· Then there was a long break as the cameras were set up for the dramatic shot over Sir Rupert Cartland's shoulder.· And then a long loud scream breaks from me.· Of those surveyed, 58.6% preferred to take one or two long breaks as opposed to several short weekend breaks.· Then Chris Holmes broke a period of Basingstoke pressure with a long break from the 22.
· He wouldn't be getting much sleep over the next few days unless they got a very lucky break.· Key events included radical job changes and serious problems, as well as lucky breaks.· Ace thought that was another suspiciously lucky break, but she had no complaints.· Outside Nordhausen he had a lucky break.· It might be a lucky break.
· In summer Venice is crammed with tourists and the heat is often stifling, but autumn is perfect for a short break.· It was also top for short breaks and business trips.· Our trip was arranged by Rainbow Holidays, Britain's second biggest short break company.· We were always at our desks by nine, taking short breaks only for meals and often working late into the night.· You can even leave your complete holiday arrangements to us: anything from a short break to a fortnight's package.· Looking pink and refreshed after a short break, Mr Smith strode into the pokey committee rooms to a rabble-rousing welcome.
· It gave them a welcome break from the mania of the Olympics and seemed to put everything in its proper perspective.· They promptly shot it for dinner, a welcome break from dehydrated rations.· It was a welcome break from comedy, but it wasn't noticed enough for there to be a great many similar offers.· At Great Bedwyn we stop for welcome break and cheer the first of the singles through.· That would be a most welcome break.· As an early morning reviver, or a welcome mid-morning break what could be better than a cup of your favourite coffee?· For some, the visit is a welcome break from medical treatment they're receiving for radiation sickness.
NOUN· It is vital that the education system should attract back women who have taken a career break to raise a family.· His next big career break came about almost by accident.· We already encourage job-shares, part-time working and career breaks and we are introducing home working.· Employers who do not offer career breaks and childcare facilities may find themselves passed over in favour of employers who do.· It has been written to meet the needs of those returning to work after a career break.
· Everything was A-Okay until the Christmas break.
· Called to attend at 10.15 in the morning, we started in the time-honoured way of civilization with a coffee break.· To save paraffin we stopped having a mid-morning coffee break.· Fast chargers and coffee break chargers reduce this to 15 minutes or a top up charge for 5 minutes.· And now she deserved a coffee break.· It appears to be an ideal resting place for lunch or a midmorning coffee break.· During the coffee break that follows, you will have the chance to chat with these two experts.· No attempt has been made to choose worthwhile bars that can be visited for a coffee break enroute.
· Some took holidays, others extended their Easter break.· Thomas Cook is to launch a £1m campaign to encourage late bookers to travel over the Easter break.· A Forte spokesperson says the launch of the Heritage campaign is timed to coincide with the Easter break.· Adam was nineteen and in his first year at university, though at that time at home for the Easter break.
· Zaza and Fiona were discussing their plans to visit Top Shop in their lunch break.· I timed it so I caught Stu on his lunch break.· Then we had a lunch break during which time the Head went round and awarded marks for the cleanest class.· After all, the 27-year-old farm worker fully intended to return to work when his 30-minute lunch break was over.· Here our raftbuilders had gambled over cards during their lunch breaks or left their bicycles while they were at work.· I rang Joy and Alan, who came immediately and stayed, apart from a quick lunch break, all day.· Although the street theater seems a bit touristy, the audience consists mostly of locals on their lunch breaks.
· Instead, his cheerleading coach said, he chose to spend his spring break on a cruise ship.· For a while the conditions are so propitious that by spring break I have a rough draft of my book.
· Graham axed David Rocastle two seasons ago, accusing him of being overweight after the summer break.· The company offers college students a chance to learn management of a company and earn money during their summer breaks.· Mr Broadhurst had returned from his summer break.· More than half would rather have a shorter summer break and more holidays at other times.· Meanwhile, Lelong's tribute to Miró continues until the summer break.
· At the same time, incentives including tax breaks were offered for innovative import-substitution industries.· Things could improve as the effects of a tax break for defense manufacturers become evident.· Second, relying on tax breaks destroys any hope of stability.· The cost would be offset in part from repeal of corporate tax breaks.· It also benefits from big tax breaks provided by the city and state governments.· Many will offer low-interest loans, tax breaks or whatever else it takes to close a deal.
· When the tea break comes everybody rushes to the model, holding their cups over the plan.· During the tea break, I was able to chat with the doctor for a few minutes.· At tea breaks and lunchtime I never saw him eat more than a bar of chocolate or a biscuit.· Try to make coffee or tea breaks and all meal times a social occasion.· We have no official tea break but sometimes one of us goes out and gets tea for the others.· Only at the end of the tea break did it reappear again without a guard.· And you even get a tea break without a floating plastic fly in the cup or a plate of rubber biscuits.· It was during the tea break that Meredith began to feel agitated again.
· In the tie break, Miss Cross offered more consistency and ran away with it, 7-3.
· Special weekend breaks are on offer at many hotels.· A two night self-drive weekend break from their Winter-Inn programme staying at Les Trois Mousquetaires costs £181 per person high season.· Birmingham is a great city for a weekend break.· For at Craigendarroch we have more to offer you than a luxurious weekend break.· When they returned to finish the work after a weekend break, they found parts of the posts missing and broken.· Remember not to contact Sunday newspaper journalists on Monday - they will be having their weekend break!· I left for my weekend break after those first five days wanting to hug everyone I met.
VERB· Don't you deserve a break from the stress and the strife?· And now she deserved a coffee break.· Brilliant Stefan deserves a break I like to read all the reader's letters in the magazine.
· It's the only time I can get a break from my family.· You want your club to be in position to take advantage if you get a break.· However, some items make useful additions to any holiday suitcase and will make sure you get the trouble-free break you deserve.· I feel exhausted all the time from the sheer hard physical work and never getting a proper break.
· It gave them a welcome break from the mania of the Olympics and seemed to put everything in its proper perspective.· We need to give breaks to those companies offering higher wages, insurance and career benefits.· Letters poured into the Denver fund group thanking it for giving smaller investors a break.· He'd informed Aunt Edie that to give her a break, he and Patsy would get the tea later on.
· We all needed a break from the tension.· Whenever a man or woman or child needs a break, another removes an instrument from its case and fills the chair.· Probably, she had been studying the figures with too much intensity, and now she needed a break.
· Journal in double triumph Roy Castle takes a break from record-breaking and relaxes with a good read.· This is not the time to take a break.· Then they did their bit for the tourism industry - by taking a break in Dorset and Hampshire.· Why not take an extra break at no extra cost - courtesy of Shell and air Miles?· When people take shorter breaks there is less build-up and excitement before and after the holiday, resulting in less disruption.· The company takes a break Dec. 7.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► give me/it a break!PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► have something stolen/broken/taken etc► the man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo► you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs► potty break► break sweat► somebody’s waters break
- After a point, you break with the past.
- Although people complained about the volume, the rhythmic concept represented his biggest break with the past.
- Can the break with the past be more vividly described?
- However, the changes were not a complete break with the past.
- She has broken with the past.
- Thinking they were breaking with the past, the early Christians re-enacted it.
- Would there be a total break with the past?
- Yet the plan represents an important break with the past.
- As soon as the guard's back was turned, they made a break for the door.
- A couple of them made a break for it.
- Ever see some one walk into a computer store, grab a floor model and make a break for it?
- Give me a break, you guys! I can't get the money until Friday.
- But the council refused to give them a break.
- Expanded IRAs for this higher-income group will give costly tax breaks to people who are already saving for retirement.
- If the assurances were not given or subsequently broken, the firm could be taken to court.
- Instead of using your train time to read two more interoffice memos, give yourself a break and read something for fun.
- It hadn't been difficult for Bill to accede to his wife's nagging to give the girl a break.
- That is, if anyone can be persuaded to give Mr Chekhov a break.
- Old blackout curtains staunch the break of day.
- Why argue about the terms of the divorce when both of you just want a clean break?
- And this year the association has tried to make a clean break from the past.
- Gossip has it that his wife had recently left him and he wanted to make a clean break.
- He made almost a clean break with the game, except for some local television work.
- He says it indicates a clean break with a stupid and superstitious past.
- In such cases a clean break at 16+ removed many existing constraints and frustrations.
- It was best to make a clean break.
- Men may suffer just as much when a relationship fails, but they seem able to make a cleaner break.
- The adoption of an economy based on farming did not effect a clean break.
- During a commercial break, we met another lovely and somebody who plays defensive back engaged in witty banter.
- In the past, to the horror of soccer purists, broadcasters have cut away from live action for commercial breaks.
- It should be surprising but liberating: and undermine the other ads in the commercial break.
- Nothing must clash with a commercial break or run into the news.
- They were shown in the commercial break of the 10 p.m.
- Thankfully, we broke even in our first year in business.
- The company made a small loss last year but this year has managed to break even.
- We'll be just breaking even if we can get an average audience of 300.
- Even La Scala, where an opening-night stall seat goes for £500, rarely comes close to breaking even.
- I just figured I could come close to breaking even.
- If we can break even - as I think we will - it will be a qualified success.
- The company is aiming to break even at the pretax level in the year ending March 31.
- The hunters were not even breaking even, yet the hunt continued despite the falling catches.
- Thus the market is now a money-loser: it needs 47,000 contracts a day to break even, but manages barely 30,000.
- When you add fund expenses, you have to earn more than 2 % a year just to break even.
- With these advantages, the mission actually breaks even on the first flight.
- Officials have denied reports that the U.S. had broken faith with the island's government.
- Debbie told him to shut up, he slapped her, and then all hell broke loose.
- When a fan jumped onto the stage, all hell broke loose.
- A sparrow hawk appeared - and all hell broke loose!
- And then, all hell broke loose.
- But then all hell broke loose, geologically speaking, as increasing numbers of sources for the rock were discovered.
- Journalists woke him up in his bed with the news and, as I suspected, all hell broke loose.
- Not at all bad considering that all hell broke loose in September and the City was rocked by events outside its control.
- She started to strip off, all hell broke loose and he bolted while plain-clothes officers moved in to stage a cover-up.
- What actually happened was that I was as drunk as anybody in the barracks the night all hell broke loose.
- When the story was leaked to the press, all hell broke loose.
- A scholarly opinion can make or break a picture, as in the case of a Saraceni which we sold in 1989.
- He also said the board has the power to make or break a project.
- It could make or break with vibration or thermal expansion as the machine warmed up.
- It was make or break for us.
- Not only does it influence whether or not you fork out the requisite 65p, it can make or break a band.
- Royal watchers say the 47-year-old prince recognizes it is make or break time for him personally.
- Though generally they are only out by one grade, that can be make or break for some.
- Whether for dress or athletics, the fit of the shoe can also make or break a pair of feet.
- The new party promised to break the mould of British politics.
- All have broken the mould of the usual career path in engineering.
- But here and there, societies rouse themselves to break the mould.
- He was not out to break the mould, just to collect better data.
- Papen wanted to capitalize on the situation by breaking the mould of the Constitution and ruling by force against right and left.
- The church planter must break the mould of self-sufficiency and dare to rely on his or her team.
- The new head of school who's breaking the mould.
- There is a heavy price to be paid for breaking the mould.
- They have broken the mould of the old structuralist and determinist urban sociology.
- 31 Republicans in the Assembly broke ranks to vote with Democrats.
- Surprisingly, nine of the 31 Republicans in the Assembly broke ranks to vote with the Democrats.
- As she approached, one of them broke ranks and went to stand over Edward, apparently addressing him.
- But I broke ranks with him.
- Moderate Assembly Republicans broke ranks with conservative members to defeat a GOP-sponsored bill that would have returned corporal punishment to the classroom.
- Only then, in the shock of the open air at last, did we break ranks and go our separate ways.
- The older sisters played too, although one broke ranks to play volleyball in her junior college days.
- The pairs of glassy eyes no longer corresponded, in death they broke ranks, each distended eye gone its own way.
- The party has broken ranks, with five of its nine presidential hopefuls calling for a review of the revisions.
- This effort to head off support for the more costly Democratic bill failed to prevent 13 Republican senators breaking ranks.
- By healing the man is he keeping the Sabbath Holy or profaning it?
- One of the 10 commandments is to keep the Sabbath Holy.
- So the idea of keeping the Sabbath day holy was born.
- The people of Lewis keep the Sabbath and their honour.
- Only a kiss could break the spell.
- And if she took Johnny into the cottage, might this in some way break the spell and spoil the magic?
- He smiled at her and, in offering her reassurance, broke the spell that held them.
- I feared my own words might break the spell of normalcy.
- Mrs Fanning had broken the spell of the wild and beautiful dancers.
- No more than usual, was the answer, but at last it was enough to break the spell.
- Stepping off a chair with a rope around his neck and hanging there for a minute had broken the spell.
- The kiss of the prince breaks the spell of narcissism and awakens a womanhood which up to then has remained undeveloped.
- The tiny sound of distress broke the spell and spurred Grant into action.
- Stunned, the woman broke stride and spun around.
- Wonderful girl; didn't even seem to break stride.
- Even on a cold day, the old man could break into a sweat if he got beyond a full minute.
- He broke into a sweat, began to tremble, and then asked if we could leave.
- He was very weak and his body trembled and broke into sweats whenever he tried to sleep.
- I began to break into a sweat.
- I noted the Handbook clearly stated that you were not to expect the police to break into a sweat over your losses.
WORD FAMILYnounbreakoutbreakbreakageadjectivebreakable ≠ unbreakablebroken ≠ unbrokenverbbreak
1stop working [countable] a period of time when you stop working in order to rest, eat etc: We’ll have a short break for lunch, then start again at two o'clock. Let’s take a ten-minute break. We’d worked for ten hours without a break. I’ll go shopping during my lunch break.2stop doing something [countable] a period of time when you stop doing something before you start againbreak from I wanted a break from university life. She decided to take a career break when she had children.break in a welcome break in my normal routine3holiday [countable] a short holiday: I was beginning to feel that I needed a break. We flew off for a week’s break in Spain. They’re offering weekend breaks in Paris for only £100.the Easter/Christmas etc break Are you looking forward to the summer break?4at school [uncountable] the time during the school day when classes stop and teachers and students can rest, eat, play etcat break I’ll speak to you at break. They get together with their friends at break time.5on tv [countable] a pause for advertisements during a television or radio programme: Join us again after the break. We’ll be back with more after a short break.6something stops happening [countable] a period of time when something stops happening before it starts againbreak in We’ll go for a walk if there’s a break in the rain. Latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance. She waited for a break in the conversation. There was no sign of a break in the weather (=an improvement in bad weather).7end a relationship [singular] a time when you leave a person or group, or end a relationship with someone: I wanted a clean break so that I could restart my life. It was years before I plucked up enough courage to make the break and leave him.break with He was beginning to regret his break with the Labour Party.8space/hole [countable] a space or hole in somethingbreak in We crawled through a break in the hedge. The sun shone through a break in the clouds.9chance [countable] informal a sudden or unexpected chance to do something that allows you to become successful in your job: There are hundreds of young musicians out there looking for their first break. He got his first big break in 1998. a lucky break10bones [countable] the place where a bone in your body has broken: It’s quite a bad break, which will take several months to heal.11tennis [countable] a situation in a game of tennis in which you win a game when your opponent is starting the game by hitting the ball first: She really needs a break of serve now if she wants to win this match.12snooker [countable] the number of points that a player wins when it is their turn to hit the ball in a game such as snooker13break with tradition/the past a time when people stop following old customs and do something in a completely different way: It is time for a complete break with the past.14make a break for something to suddenly start running towards something in order to escape from a place: As soon as the guard’s back was turned, they made a break for the door. Two of the prisoners made a break for it but were soon recaptured.15give me/it a break! spoken used when you want someone to stop doing or saying something that is annoying you16give somebody a break spoken to stop being strict with someone so that a situation becomes easier for them: Give the kid a break. It’s only his second day on the job.17the break of day literary the time early in the morning when it starts getting lightCOLLOCATIONSverbshave/take a break· After two hours, she took a break and switched on the radio.need a break· I’m sorry, I can’t do any more - I need a break.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + breaka short/quick break· Shall we have a quick five-minute break?a lunch break· What time’s your lunch break?a coffee/tea break· How about a coffee break?a morning/afternoon break· I don’t usually have time for a morning break.a well-earned break (=one that you deserve)· Everyone’s looking forward to a well-earned break when the exams are over.