break
To make something come apart into pieces by hitting, dropping, or bending it.
To damage or destroy something so that it separates into pieces, often suddenly and by force.
To stop doing something for a short time to rest or do something else.
To interrupt an activity or work in order to rest or do something else for a short time.
To make something not work anymore.
To damage something so that it no longer works or functions correctly.
A short time when you stop working or doing something.
A short stop in an activity or work to rest, eat, or do something else.
To not do what a rule, law, or promise says you must do.
To not follow a law, rule, promise, or agreement.
To stop something that is going on without pause.
To cause an interruption in something continuous, such as silence, concentration, or a physical line.
To come apart into pieces by accident or because it is weak.
To come apart into pieces because of force, pressure, or weakness, without deliberate action.
- Base: break
- Plural: break, breaks
- Base: break
- 3rd Person Singular: breaks
- Present Participle: breaking
- Past: broke
- Past Participle: broken
- Irregular past: broke Verb
- Irregular past participle: broken Verb
break up
1End relationship or disperse group
To end a romantic relationship, or to make people in a group go away from each other.
- They decided to break up after five years together.
- The police broke up the crowd.
give me a break
1Request relief or express disbelief/impatience
'Stop bothering me' or 'I don't believe that' depending on context.
- Oh, give me a break! That can't be true.
- Give me a break, I've been working all day!
take a break
1Stop temporarily for rest/refreshment
To stop what you are doing for a short time so you can rest.
- Let's take a break before we continue working.
- You should take a break if you feel tired.
break into
1Enter illegally or start suddenly
To go into a place by force without permission, or suddenly start doing something like singing or laughing.
- Someone broke into their house last night.
- Someone tried to break into our house last night.
- Thieves broke into the store and stole jewelry.
- He broke into laughter during the speech.
break down
1Stop working or collapse emotionally
When a machine stops working, or when a person starts crying or cannot control emotions anymore.
- My car broke down on the way home.
- Our car broke down on the way to the airport.
- She broke down in tears when she heard the news.
- Let me break down the process so everyone can understand it.
- The washing machine has broken down again.
- She broke down in tears after hearing the news.
- The washing machine keeps breaking down, so we need a new one.
- He tried to stay calm but finally broke down during the interview.
- The teacher broke the problem down into three simple questions.
- The bus broke down in the middle of the journey and everyone had to get off.
- After days of stress, he broke down and asked for help.
- The article breaks down the new law in clear language.