- break*/*/*/
- [breɪk]
(past tense broke [brəʊk] ; past participle broken [ˈbrəʊkən] ) verb
I
1) [I/T] if something breaks, or if you break it, it separates into two or more pieces when it is hit, dropped etcI broke two dishes this morning.[/ex]Joey broke three bones in his foot.[/ex]Break the spaghetti in half (= in the middle).[/ex]The glass broke into tiny pieces.[/ex]2) [I/T] if a piece of equipment breaks, or if you break it, it stops working correctlyDon't play with the camera – you'll break it.[/ex]3) [T] to fail to obey a rule or lawStudents who break these rules will be punished.[/ex]4) [T] to not do something that you promised or agreed to doElliot claims that his business partner broke her contract.[/ex]5) [T] to make a hole or cut in the surface of somethingThe dog bit his leg, but didn't break the skin.[/ex]6) [T] to make something endA bird's call broke the silence.[/ex]I found it hard to break the habit of eating in the afternoons.[/ex]7) [I/T] if important news breaks, or if a newspaper or television station breaks it, it becomes publicly knownHe was back in France when the news broke.[/ex]8) [T] to tell someone bad news in a kind wayI didn't know how to break it to her.[/ex]9) [T] to destroy someone's confidence, determination, or happinessTwenty years in prison had not broken his spirit.[/ex]10) if waves break, they reach their highest point and start to fall11) [I] when day breaks, it starts to get light in the morningSyn:12) [I] if a storm breaks, it starts13) [I] if the weather breaks, it changes unexpectedly14) [I] if someone's voice breaks, they cannot speak clearly, usually because they are upset15) [I] when a boy's voice breaks, it starts to become deeper and sound like a man's•break even — if a person or business breaks even, they neither make a profit nor lose money[/ex]break sb's fall — to stop someone who is falling from hitting the ground directly[/ex]break free — 1) to escape from someone who is trying to hold you; 2) to escape from an unpleasant situation that controls your life[/ex]break sb's heart — to upset someone very much, especially by showing them that you do not love them[/ex]break sb's heart — to make someone feel extremely sad[/ex]break the ice — to make people feel more relaxed and ready to talk, for example at the beginning of a party[/ex][i]Joe told a few jokes, which helped to break the ice.[/ex]break the ice — to do or say something that makes people feel less shy or nervous when they first meet[/ex]break a record — to do something better than anyone else has done before in a particular activity, especially a sport[/ex]If she continues running at this pace, she'll break the world record.[/ex]- break away- break down- break (sth) down- break sth down- break in- break into sth- break off- break (sth) off- break sth off- break out- break through (sth)- break up- break (sth) up- break sth up- break with sthIInoun [C]break */*/[breɪk]1) a period of time when you are not working and can rest or enjoy yourselfOK, let's take a fifteen-minute break.[/ex]The art class is the only time I get a break from the kids.[/ex]2) a short holidaya weekend break for two in Florence[/ex]3) a time at which one thing ends completelya break in relations with Uganda[/ex]Lynn's decision helped her make the break with her past.[/ex]4) an opportunity that helps you to be successfula lucky break[/ex]Kiefer's big break came with the film Stand By Me.[/ex]5) a place where something is brokena break in the gas pipeline[/ex]6) a pause between television or radio programmes, especially when advertisements are broadcastWe'll be back after the break.[/ex]7) a space in somethinga break in the traffic/clouds[/ex]•give sb a break — to stop being unkind or making things difficult for someone[/ex]Give the boy a break - he's just learning.[/ex]Oh, give me a break (=stop annoying me) . I was just joking.[/ex]
Dictionary for writing and speaking English. 2014.