Hello there! It’s amazing how a simple word like “break” can morph into so many different meanings when paired with other words, isn’t it? These combinations are called phrasal verbs. Ever wondered how they can make your English more colourful and natural? Let’s find out together!
Here is a collection of popular and handy phrasal verbs with BREAK:
1. Break down: to stop functioning, usually referring to machinery.
Example: The car broke down on the way to the beach.
It can also mean to lose control of one’s emotions and start crying.
Example: She broke down when she heard the bad news.
2. Break up: To end a relationship.
Example: They decided to break up after five years of dating.
It can also mean to disperse or to make something disintegrate.
Example: The police broke up the protest.
3. Break in: To enter a building or car illegally.
Example: Someone broke in and stole my laptop.
It can also mean to interrupt.
Example: She broke in to ask a question during the lecture.
4. Break into: Similar to “break in,” it means to enter forcibly.
Example: The thief broke into the house through the window.
It can also mean to start doing something suddenly.
Example: He broke into a run when he saw the bus coming.
5. Break out: To escape, usually from prison.
Example: Two prisoners broke out last night.
It can also mean to start suddenly, often referring to wars, fights, or diseases.
Example: A fight broke out at the bar.
6. Break off: To end something abruptly.
Example: She broke off their engagement.
It can also mean to detach a part of something.
Example: He broke off a piece of bread and gave it to her.
7. Break through: To make a significant advancement, overcoming a barrier.
Example: The scientist broke through with a new discovery.
8. Break away: To leave or separate from a group.
Example: The cyclist broke away from the pack.
9. Break even: To have expenses equal to profits.
Example: The business broke even in its first year.
10. Break free: To escape from confinement.
Example: The bird broke free from its cage.
11. Break ground: To start a new construction project.
Example: They broke ground on the new school today.
12. Break the ice: To relieve tension or awkwardness, usually in a social situation.
Example: Telling a joke is a good way to break the ice at a party.
Wow, that’s a whole lot of breaking! You see, these “break” phrasal verbs are super useful in various situations, making your English sound more natural and fluent. Keep practicing them in sentences, and soon they’ll be part of your everyday language. Keep breaking your language barriers!
