Break into (someone’s) conversation
To interrupt someone who is speaking. My neighbour was very loud and kept breaking into our conversation.
Break in (someone or something) or break (someone or something) in
To train someone to do a job. This month I need to break Anna in. She's the new teacher we hired. To make something the right size or feel... Read more →
Break ground for (something)
To start digging the foundation for a building. The hospital will break ground for the new building soon.
Break fresh/new ground
To do something in a new way. The British researchers were able to break fresh ground in their search for a cancer cure.
Break down (something) or break (something) down
To analyze something. We must break down these figures for further study. To divide into parts, to separate into simpler substances. The... Read more →
Break down
To have a nervous collapse; to lose control of one's emotions. My friend broke down when she met her ex-husband. She found it so hard to... Read more →
Break camp
To close down a campsite and move. When the tourists decided to break camp and begin on their journey it was too late.
Break a record
To set a new record that is better than an old one. Every summer our prime minister breaks his own record in swimming. This year he swam for... Read more →
Break into tears
To start crying suddenly. While we were speaking to my sister on Skype, she suddenly broke into tears. It's then that we discovered she had... Read more →
Break down
To stop working because of mechanical failure. The car broke down in a remote village and we had no one to help us.