break
(breɪk )
Word forms: breaks , breaking , broke , broken
1. verb A2
When an object breaks or when you break it, it suddenly separates into two or more pieces, often because it has been hit or dropped.
He fell through the window, breaking the glass. [VERB noun]
The plate broke. [VERB]
Break the cauliflower into florets. [VERB noun + into]
The plane broke into three pieces. [VERB + into]
...bombed-out buildings, surrounded by broken glass and rubble. [VERB-ed]
The only sound was the crackle of breaking ice. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: shatter, separate, destroy, split
2. verb A2
If you break a part of your body such as your leg, your arm, or your nose, or if a bone breaks, you are injured because a bone cracks or splits.
She broke a leg in a skiing accident. [VERB noun]
Old bones break easily. [VERB]
Several people were treated for broken bones. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: fracture, crack, smash
Break is also a noun.
It has caused a bad break to Gabriella's leg.
3. verb B2
If a surface, cover, or seal breaks or if something breaks it, a hole or tear is made in it, so that a substance can pass through.
Once you've broken the seal of a bottle there's no way you can put it back together again. [VERB noun]
The bandage must be put on when the blister breaks. [VERB]
Do not use the cream on broken skin. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: burst, tear, split, puncture
4. verb A2 [Also V-ed]
When a tool or piece of machinery breaks or when you break it, it is damaged and no longer works.
When the clutch broke, the car was locked into second gear. [VERB]
Tenants do not have to worry about leaking roofs and broken washing machines. [VERB-ed]
The lead biker broke his bike chain. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: stop working, break down, go wrong, give out
5. verb B2
If you break a rule, promise, or agreement, you do something that you should not do according to that rule, promise, or agreement.
We didn't know we were breaking the law. [VERB noun]
The company has consistently denied it had knowingly broken arms embargoes. [VERB noun]
...broken promises. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: disobey, breach, defy, violate
6. verb
If you break free or loose, you free yourself from something or escape from it.
She broke free by thrusting her elbow into his chest. [VERB adjective]
A young child broke loose from the crowd and ran toward her. [VERB adjective]
7. verb
If someone breaks something, especially a difficult or unpleasant situation that has existed for some time, they end it or change it.
New proposals have been put forward to break the deadlock among rival factions. [VERB noun]
The country is heading towards elections which may break the party's long hold on power. [VERB noun]
Break is also a noun.
Nothing that might lead to a break in the deadlock has been discussed yet.
8. verb B2
If someone or something breaks a silence, they say something or make a noise after a long period of silence.
Hugh broke the silence. 'Is she always late?' he asked. [VERB noun]
The unearthly silence was broken by a shrill screaming. [VERB noun]
9. countable noun
If there is a break in the cloud or weather, it changes and there is a short period of sunshine or fine weather.
A sudden break in the cloud allowed rescuers to spot Michael Benson. [+ in]
10. verb [Also VERB noun]
If you break with a group of people or a traditional way of doing things, or you break your connection with them, you stop being involved with that group or stop doing things in that way.
In 1959, Akihito broke with imperial tradition by marrying a commoner. [VERB + with]
They were determined to break from precedent. [VERB + from]
They have yet to break the link with the trade unions. [VERB noun + with]
Synonyms: end, stop, cut, drop
Break is also a noun.
Making a completely clean break with the past, the couple got rid of all their old furniture.
11. verb
If you break a habit or if someone breaks you of it, you no longer have that habit.
We don't like breaking habits when it comes to food. [VERB noun]
The professor hoped to break the students of the habit of looking for easy answers. [VERB noun + of]
12. verb
To break someone means to destroy their determination and courage, their success, or their career.
He never let his jailers break him. [VERB noun]
The newspapers and television can make or break you. [VERB noun]
Ken's wife, Vicki, said: 'He's a broken man.' [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: weaken, undermine, cow, tame
13. verb B1+
If someone breaks for a short period of time, they rest or change from what they are doing for a short period.
They broke for lunch. [VERB]
Synonyms: pause, stop briefly, stop, rest
14. countable noun A2
A break is a short period of time when you have a rest or a change from what you are doing, especially if you are working or if you are in a boring or unpleasant situation.
They may be able to help with childcare so that you can have a break.
I thought a 15 min break from his work would do him good. [+ from]
She rang Moira during a coffee break.
15. See also lunch break, tea break
16. countable noun B1+
A break is a short holiday.
They are currently taking a short break in Spain. [+ in]
Synonyms: holiday, leave, vacation, time off
17. verb
If you break your journey somewhere, you stop there for a short time so that you can have a rest.
Because of the heat we broke our journey at a small country hotel. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: interrupt, stop, suspend
18. verb
To break the force of something such as a blow or fall means to weaken its effect, for example by getting in the way of it.
He sustained serious neck injuries after he broke someone's fall. [VERB noun]
19. verb
When a piece of news breaks, people hear about it online, or from the newspapers, television, or radio.
The news broke that the Prime Minister had resigned. [VERB]
He resigned from his post as Bishop when the scandal broke. [VERB]
Synonyms: be revealed, come out, be reported, be published
20. verb
When you break a piece of bad news to someone, you tell it to them, usually in a kind way.
Then Louise broke the news that she was leaving me. [VERB noun]
I worried for ages and decided that I had better break it to her. [VERB noun + to]
Synonyms: reveal, tell, announce, declare
21. countable noun
A break is a lucky opportunity that someone gets to achieve something. [informal]
He got his first break appearing in a variety show.
22. verb B2
If you break a record, you beat the previous record for a particular achievement.
He has broken the world record in the 100 metres. [VERB noun]
The film had broken all box office records. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: beat, top, better, exceed
23. See also record-breaking
24. verb
When day or dawn breaks, it starts to grow light after the night has ended.
They continued the search as dawn broke. [VERB]
Synonyms: happen, appear, emerge, occur
25. See also daybreak
26. verb
When a wave breaks, it passes its highest point and turns downwards, for example when it reaches the shore.
Danny listened to the waves breaking against the shore. [VERB]
Synonyms: pound, crash, batter, lash
27. verb
If you break a secret code, you work out how to understand it.
It was feared they could break the Allies' codes. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: decode, crack, work out, solve
28. verb
If someone's voice breaks when they are speaking, it changes its sound, for example because they are sad or afraid.
Godfrey's voice broke, and halted. [VERB]
Synonyms: hesitate, shake, tremble, falter
29. verb
When a boy's voice breaks, it becomes deeper and sounds more like a man's voice.
He sings with the strained discomfort of someone whose voice hasn't quite broken. [VERB]
30. verb
If the weather breaks or a storm breaks, it suddenly becomes rainy or stormy after a period of sunshine.
I've been waiting for the weather to break. [VERB]
She hoped she'd be able to reach the hotel before the storm broke. [VERB]
Synonyms: change, shift, alter
31. verb
In tennis, if you break your opponent's serve, you win a game in which your opponent is serving.
The world No 5 broke the 25-year-old Cypriot's serve twice. [VERB noun]
Break is also a noun.
A single break of serve settled the first two sets.
32. See also broke, broken, heartbreak, heartbreaking, heartbroken, outbreak
33. the break of day/dawn phrase
The break of day or the break of dawn is the time when it begins to grow light after the night. [literary]
'I,' he finished poetically, 'will watch over you to the break of day.'
34. give sb a break convention
You can say 'give me a break' to show that you are annoyed by what someone has said or done. [informal, feelings]
'I'm a real intellectual-type guy,' James joked. 'Oh, give me a break,' Tracy moaned.
35. to make a break (for it) phrase
If you make a break or make a break for it, you run to escape from something.
The moment had come to make a break or die.
Dan made a break for his car only to find the driver's door locked.
36. to break the bank phrase [VERB inflects]
If you say that the cost of something will not break the bank, you mean that it will not cost a large sum of money.
Prices starting at £6 a bottle won't break the bank.
37. to break cover phrase
If you break cover, you leave a place where you have been hiding or sheltering from attack, usually in order to run to another place.
They began running again, broke cover and dashed towards the road.
38. to break even phrase
When a company or a person running a business breaks even, they make neither a profit nor a loss. [business]
The airline hopes to break even next year and return to profit the following year.
The theatre needs to fill over ninety per cent of its seats every night just to break even.
39. to break new ground phrase
If you break new ground, you do something completely different or you do something in a completely different way. [approval]
Gellhorn may have broken new ground when she filed her first report on the Spanish Civil War.
40. to break someone's heart phrase B2
If someone breaks your heart, they make you very sad and unhappy, usually because they end a love affair or close relationship with you. [literary]
41. all hell breaks loose phrase
If you say that all hell breaks loose, you are emphasizing that a lot of arguing or fighting suddenly starts. [informal, emphasis]
He had an affair, I found out and then all hell broke loose.
42. to break the ice phrase B2
If you break the ice at a party or meeting, or in a new situation, you say or do something to make people feel relaxed and comfortable.
That sort of approach should go a long way toward breaking the ice.
No one had said a word until I broke the ice.
Synonyms: kick off [informal], lead the way, take the plunge [informal], make a start
43. to break ranks phrase
If you say that a member of a group or organization breaks ranks, you mean that they disobey the instructions of their group or organization.
'Even the President's staunchest supporters have some issues where they simply must break ranks,' says Senator Lott.
She broke ranks with her father's old party when she stood as an independent.
44. to break wind phrase
If someone breaks wind, they release gas from their intestines through their anus.
Phrasal verbs:
break away
1. phrasal verb
If you break away from someone who is trying to hold you or catch you, you free yourself and run away.
I broke away from him and rushed out into the hall. [VERB PARTICLE + from]
Willie Hamilton broke away early in the race. [VERB PARTICLE]
2. phrasal verb
If you break away from something or someone that restricts you or controls you, you succeed in freeing yourself from them.
Many contemporary designers have tried to break away from classical formal patterns. [VERB PARTICLE + from]
The group broke away from the Labour Party in 1932. [VERB PARTICLE]
break down
1. phrasal verb B1+
If a machine or a vehicle breaks down, it stops working.
Their car broke down. [VERB PARTICLE]
2. phrasal verb B2
If a discussion, relationship, or system breaks down, it fails because of a problem or disagreement.
Talks with business leaders broke down last night. [VERB PARTICLE]
Paola's marriage broke down. [VERB PARTICLE]
3. phrasal verb B2 [Also V n P + into]
To break down something such as an idea or statement means to separate it into smaller parts in order to make it easier to understand or deal with.
The report breaks down the results region by region. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
These rules tell us how a sentence is broken down into phrases. [be V-ed P + into]
4. phrasal verb B2 [Also VERB PARTICLE noun]
When a substance breaks down or when something breaks it down, a biological or chemical process causes it to separate into the substances which make it up.
Over time, the protein in the eggshell breaks down into its constituent amino acids. [VERB PARTICLE]
The oil is attacked by naturally occurring microbes which break it down. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
5. phrasal verb B2
If someone breaks down, they lose control of themselves and start crying.
Because he was being so kind and concerned, I broke down and cried. [VERB PARTICLE]
The young woman broke down in tears. [VERB PARTICLE]
6. phrasal verb B2
If you break down a door or barrier, you hit it so hard that it falls to the ground.
An unruly mob broke down police barricades and stormed the courtroom. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
Firefighters were called after his father failed to break the door down. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
7. phrasal verb [Also VERB noun PARTICLE]
To break down barriers or prejudices that separate people or restrict their freedom means to change people's attitudes so that the barriers or prejudices no longer exist. [approval]
His early experience enabled him to break down barriers between Scottish Catholics and Protestants. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
8. See also breakdown, broken-down
break in
1. phrasal verb B1+
If someone, usually a thief, breaks in, they get into a building by force.
Masked robbers broke in and made off with $8,000. [VERB PARTICLE]
The thief had broken in through a first-floor window. [VERB PARTICLE]
2. See also break-in
3. phrasal verb
If you break in on someone's conversation or activity, you interrupt them.
O'Leary broke in on his thoughts. [VERB PARTICLE + on]
Mrs Southern listened keenly, occasionally breaking in with pertinent questions. [VERB PARTICLE]
'She told you to stay here,' Mike broke in. [VERB PARTICLE with quote]
4. phrasal verb [Also VERB noun PARTICLE]
If you break someone in, you get them used to a new job or situation.
The band are breaking in a new backing vocalist. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
5. phrasal verb [Also VERB noun PARTICLE]
If you break in something new, you gradually use or wear it for longer and longer periods until it is ready to be used or worn all the time.
When breaking in an engine, you should refrain from high speed for the first thousand miles. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
Nathan's new running shoes weren't broken in correctly. [VERB PARTICLE noun (not pronoun)]
break into
1. phrasal verb B1+
If someone breaks into a building, they get into it by force.
There was no one nearby who might see him trying to break into the house. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
In this country a house is broken into every 24 seconds. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
2. phrasal verb
If someone breaks into something they suddenly start doing it. For example if someone breaks into a run they suddenly start running, and if they break into song they suddenly start singing.
The moment she was out of sight she broke into a run. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
Then, breaking into a smile, he said, 'I brought you something.' [VERB PARTICLE noun]
3. phrasal verb
If you break into a profession or area of business, especially one that is difficult to succeed in, you manage to have some success in it.
She finally broke into films after an acclaimed stage career. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
break off
1. phrasal verb B2 [Also VERB noun PARTICLE]
If part of something breaks off or if you break it off, it comes off or is removed by force.
The two wings of the aircraft broke off on impact. [VERB PARTICLE]
Grace broke off a large piece of the clay. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
They've torn down wooden fences and broken branches off trees. [VERB noun PARTICLE noun]
2. phrasal verb B2 [Also VERB noun PARTICLE]
If you break off when you are doing or saying something, you suddenly stop doing it or saying it.
Llewelyn broke off in mid-sentence. [VERB PARTICLE]
He broke off the summit meeting before it had got properly started. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
3. phrasal verb B2
If someone breaks off a relationship, they end it.
The two West African states had broken off relations two years ago. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
He doesn't seem to have the courage to break it off with her. [VERB noun PARTICLE + with]
break out
1. phrasal verb B2
If something such as war, fighting, or disease breaks out, it begins suddenly.
He was 29 when war broke out. [VERB PARTICLE]
I was in a nightclub in Brixton and a fight broke out. [VERB PARTICLE]
2. phrasal verb [Also VERB PARTICLE]
If a prisoner breaks out of a prison, they escape from it.
The two men broke out of their cells and cut through a perimeter fence. [VERB PARTICLE + of]
3. See also breakout
4. phrasal verb
If you break out of a dull situation or routine, you manage to change it or escape from it.
It's taken a long time to break out of my own conventional training. [VERB PARTICLE + of]
I'm afraid to break out and do anything dramatic. [VERB PARTICLE]
5. phrasal verb
If you break out in a rash or a sweat, a rash or sweat appears on your skin.
A person who is allergic to cashews may break out in a rash when he consumes these nuts. [V P + in]
A line of sweat broke out on her forehead and she thought she might faint. [VERB PARTICLE + on]
break through
1. phrasal verb B2
If you break through a barrier, you succeed in forcing your way through it.
Protesters tried to break through a police cordon. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
About fifteen inmates broke through onto the roof. [V P + onto]
2. phrasal verb
If you break through, or break through something, you achieve success even though there are difficulties and obstacles.
There is still scope for new writers to break through. [VERB PARTICLE]
I broke through the poverty barrier and it was education that did it. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
3. phrasal verb
When something that was previously hidden or could not be seen breaks through, it appears.
Despite everything, Elizabeth's human side keeps breaking through. [VERB PARTICLE]
Sunlight had broken through the clouds. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
4. See also breakthrough
break up
1. phrasal verb B1
When something breaks up or when you break it up, it separates or is divided into several smaller parts.
Civil war could come if the country breaks up. [VERB PARTICLE]
There was a danger of the ship breaking up completely. [VERB PARTICLE]
Break up the chocolate and melt it. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
He broke the bread up into chunks and gave Meer a big one. [V n P + into]
Tanks are strongly built. It is a complicated and difficult process to break them up. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
2. phrasal verb B1+
If you break up with your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife, your relationship with that person ends.
My girlfriend had broken up with me. [VERB PARTICLE + with]
He felt appalled by the whole idea of marriage so we broke up. [VERB PARTICLE]
3. phrasal verb B1+
If a marriage breaks up or if someone breaks it up, the marriage ends and the partners separate.
MPs say they work too hard and that is why so many of their marriages break up. [VERB PARTICLE]
Fred has given me no good reason for wanting to break up our marriage. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
4. phrasal verb
When a meeting or gathering breaks up or when someone breaks it up, it is brought to an end and the people involved in it leave.
A neighbour asked for the music to be turned down and the party broke up. [VERB PARTICLE]
Police used tear gas to break up a demonstration. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
He charged into the crowd. 'Break it up,' he shouted. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
5. phrasal verb B1
When a school or the pupils in it break up, the school term ends and the pupils start their holidays. [British]
It's the last week before they break up, and they're doing all kinds of Christmas things. [VERB PARTICLE]
6. phrasal verb
If you say that someone is breaking up when you are speaking to them on a mobile phone, you mean that you can only hear parts of what they are saying because the signal is interrupted.
The line's gone; I think you're breaking up. [VERB PARTICLE]
7. phrasal verb
If something breaks someone up, it causes them to lose control and begin to laugh or cry.
Kindness breaks me up; it makes me cry. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
8. See also break-up
Vocabulary Builder
BICYCLE handlebars gears crossbar brake saddle frame pedal wheel chain tyre Idioms:
break someone's heart
to make someone feel extremely upset and unhappy, because you end a love affair or close relationship with them
When he left his wife for me, I was appalled. What I'd wanted was a good time, but in the end I broke his heart.
if something breaks someone's heart, the fact that it is happening makes them feel sad and depressed, because they believe that it is bad or wrong
It broke my heart to see this woman break down the way she did.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
break new ground
to do something completely different, or to do something in a completely different way. You use this expression to show approval of what is being done.
The programme broke new ground in giving to women roles traditionally assigned to men.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
break ground [US]
to start building something
Their church construction project missed a deadline to break ground.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
break a leg
said to a performer who is about to go on stage as a way of wishing them good luck
Jason sent Phillip a fax from the airport before Monday's show, with the greeting: `Break a leg and enjoy yourself.'
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
break a butterfly on a wheel [British]
to use far more force than is necessary to do something
They have had their ideology combed over, examined, misinterpreted and rewritten. Talk about breaking a butterfly on a wheel.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
never be given an even break or never get an even break
to not get the same chances or opportunities to do something as other people
He kept talking about how she never got an even break from the family.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
give me a break [informal]
said to show that you think that someone is being very annoying or ridiculous
You're too young to be a musician? Give me a break. If you look at the charts now, the 14-yearolds are more like 16 and 17-year-olds.
said to tell someone to stop criticizing or annoying you and leave you alone
Anxious families yesterday begged the youngsters, `Give us a break', after they wrecked dozens of cars.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
break the bank
to cost too much money
The art fair is an opportunity to start off your art collection without breaking the bank.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
break your back
to work extremely hard to try to do something
When you're breaking your back to make an enterprise work, it's going to cut into your time with family.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
break the back of something
to deal with the most difficult parts or the main part of a task
The new government hopes to have broken the back of the economic crisis by the middle of this year.
to do something in order to make something weaker so that it is destroyed after a time
The government made a big effort late last year to break the back of the black market.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
break the ice
to say or do something to make people feel relaxed and comfortable at a party or a meeting
Break the ice with tea or coffee and get to know your client a little better.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
break ranks
to disobey the instructions of a group or organization of which you are a member, and express your own opinion
Would you break ranks with your party and vote against the president's tax bill?
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
break the mould
to completely change the way something has traditionally been done, and do it in a new way
His stated ambition is to create a third party and break the mould of US two-party politics.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Collocations:
break a code break a cycle break a deadlock break a foot break a habit break a hold break a jaw break a limb break a monopoly break a nose break a pledge break a promise break a record break a rib break a routine break a rule break a run of break a sweat break a taboo break a tooth break a window break a wrist break an egg break an impasse break occasionally break par break stride break the chain break the law break the monotony break the news break the seal break the spell break the stalemate break the stranglehold break the surface brief break clean break cloud breaks dam breaks deserve a break frequent breaks holiday break negotiations break down quick break radical break scandal breaks short break take a break waves break welcome break winter break
I know we all thought that was physically impossible, that nobody would break the code.
Times, Sunday Times
Journalists know that if they break the code of omerta they may never be trusted again by news editors and editors.
Times, Sunday Times
Those who break the code of trust bring harm not only to their own reputation but also that of their family.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Despite paying more than 3,000 to a technology company the police could not break the code.
Times, Sunday Times
After intensive work, these allowed them to break the code.
Times, Sunday Times
It did, however, break the cycle of wetter-than-average summers that began in 2007.
Times, Sunday Times
I can't see a way to break this cycle.
The Sun
We have to break the cycle of crime - and that means breaking out of the old politics.
Times, Sunday Times
It sounds so simple, but how do you break the cycle?
Times, Sunday Times
However, as their lives begin to fall apart, their loved ones resort to desperate measures to break the cycle of dependency.
The Sun
Heads of government should now stand ready to break the deadlock.
Times, Sunday Times
Neither side threatened to break the deadlock before the break.
The Sun
You can finally break the deadlock on a long-time deal and yes, you have the guts to walk away or head towards another option.
The Sun
Another discussion yesterday was doubling the play-off entrants to eight in a bid to break the deadlock over restarting the season.
The Sun
But he did that to break the deadlock of a battle, for the greater good.
The Sun
If you dropped it, provided you could lift it in the first place, you could break a foot or worse.
Times, Sunday Times
It's a miracle she didn't break her foot.
The Sun
I broke my foot; the pain was terrific.
Times, Sunday Times
He broke his foot and had a double hernia.
Times, Sunday Times
This hungry heron ended up in plaster after breaking his foot as he dived into a pond to catch a goldfish.
The Sun
At the time it seemed normal, but it took some years to break the habit.
Times, Sunday Times
They found it hard to break the habit when the crisis eased because consumers had become so used to it.
Times,Sunday Times
What made her break the habit of a lifetime?
Times, Sunday Times
If you struggle to break the habit, see a therapist.
The Sun
Change any patterns needed to break the habit.
The Sun
You can break the hold that long-time habits have over you.
The Sun
Should either wrestler break his hold or touch the ground with any part of his body except his feet, he loses.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Punk was able to reach the ropes to break the hold.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Until then, getting to the ropes was the only way to break the hold other than submitting.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
In a similar effect, a captive may shapeshift in order to break a hold on him.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Especially as it doesn't jump out and break my jaw.
Times, Sunday Times
You'd be surprised how much the combination of adrenalin and endomorphins can dull your pain, even when you break your jaw or your arm.
Times, Sunday Times
I once broke my jaw and had to get stitches on the inside of my mouth.
Times, Sunday Times
The breastplate from his body armour lurched into his face, breaking his jaw.
Times, Sunday Times
The youngster needed a metal plate in her face after breaking her jaw.
The Sun
If you broke a limb, that was it.
Times, Sunday Times
He was always breaking his limbs, falling down the stairs in a stupor.
Times,Sunday Times
Had it connected, it could have broken a limb.
The Sun
A further quarter of a million have broken a limb and nearly 200,000 have torn a ligament.
Times,Sunday Times
No one has broken any limbs yet, they insist.
Times, Sunday Times
Head teachers were permitted to recruit their own staff and new governors were brought in to break the monopoly of local authority control.
Times, Sunday Times
Does it matter if new players - tech gazillionaires and governments - break the monopoly enjoyed for centuries by professional journalists?
Times, Sunday Times
Regulations enacted in 1828 attempted to break the monopoly of the missions and also made land grants easier to obtain.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
In an attempt to break this monopoly, the government proposed allowing mobile fast food vans to operate at the areas, though this idea has not come about.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
The internet was supposed to be the great leveller, breaking the monopoly of elites on information and creating a new democratic impulse.
Times, Sunday Times
Did he break my nose, knock me out?
Houston Chronicle
A headbutt, it can break your nose.
Times, Sunday Times
I had broken his nose, even though we were playing on the same side.
Times, Sunday Times
She has broken her nose four times and ruptured the cruciate ligament in both knees.
Times, Sunday Times
We both went up - he headed the back of my head and broke his nose.
The Sun
I didn't want to break my pledge - or shatter his fantasy.
The Sun
A $55bn catastrophe forced him to break that pledge.
Times, Sunday Times
In the process he manifestly broke the pledge he had given to the council barely six months previously — not to make [his] compositions... too 'theatrical'.
Times, Sunday Times
They lose out on benefit cash if they break the pledges.
The Sun
Last year he was accused of breaking a pledge to cut their numbers.
The Sun
Even more frequently they have argued that they had to break their promise because they were in coalition.
Times, Sunday Times
Rather than break their promise, though, they have halted production of some of their lines.
The Sun
Break the promise and you break the bond.
Times, Sunday Times
Should he break his promise?
Times, Sunday Times
Make a promise not to break your promise.
Times, Sunday Times
Will really want to break that record this year.
Times, Sunday Times
If he can score more than two goals, he will break the record.
The Sun
The company wants me to try to break the record for the number of car turnovers.
Times, Sunday Times
So, if this winter was going to break the record it would only be the wettest since last year, not 1981.
Times, Sunday Times
I didn't want to break the record, if it happens, it happens.
The Sun
He came back in 1998 only to break a rib during an early season game.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
It came out that he had punctured a lung and broken some ribs.
Times, Sunday Times
She broke a rib falling when the intruder rushed towards her.
Times, Sunday Times
I broke my ribs and cracked my hip.
Times, Sunday Times
Some witnesses have claimed that her handbag was stolen and that during a struggle to retrieve it she fell and hurt or broke her ribs.
Times, Sunday Times
Break the routine by trying new activities or the way you travel to work.
The Sun
Set up family fun time to break the routine.
Times, Sunday Times
Break your routine and your future will soon fill with fresh opportunities.
The Sun
The caves are meant to break the routine, providing a refreshing view and allowing drivers to take a short rest.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Well, breaking that routine on your hols could be a good thing.
The Sun
Don't break this rule, it makes people very angry.
Times, Sunday Times
We have, after all, been urged to report neighbours if they break the rule of six.
Times,Sunday Times
Staff who break the rule will face disciplinary action.
The Sun
She has been among few sitters who have been able to persuade him to break his rule about not portraying famous people.
Times, Sunday Times
Students who break the rule more than three times are sent home to change.
Times,Sunday Times
It would be great if they could break that run today.
The Sun
They won't have a better chance than they did yesterday to break the run.
Times, Sunday Times
He'll have to carry that with him until they break that run.
The Sun
The veteran striker, 38, climbed off the bench to net a 94th-minute winner and break a run of six games without a victory.
The Sun
University were the team to break this run winning in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
From your couch, it looks as if they barely break a sweat.
Christianity Today
As he made the decision to risk 100k and play for the jackpot he didn't break a sweat.
The Sun
Gradually increase the exertion until you break a sweat.
The Sun
They started by focusing on high-quality fabrics that could improve performance, but could also be worn by people who rarely break a sweat.
Times,Sunday Times
Best of all, she won't break a sweat when she's riding one.
The Sun
Some were keen to speak out, to break the taboo, to help those too terrified and traumatised to seek help.
Times, Sunday Times
But we need to break the taboo and see whether there are missed opportunities in the status quo.
Times, Sunday Times
Those concerned with water, food and medical care need to be brave enough to break the taboo, or we will see the worst human catastrophe in history.
Times, Sunday Times
Efforts to break a taboo over organ donation have encouraged a growing but still small number of donors.
Times, Sunday Times
There have been attempts to break the taboo: magazines find excuses to put his face on the cover knowing that it will boost circulation by 10 per cent.
Times, Sunday Times
I fell face first and broke some teeth.
The Sun
It was so frozen that one of my colleagues broke his tooth.
Times, Sunday Times
He was knocked unconscious and had several teeth broken.
Times, Sunday Times
Don't try eat the fruit raw, though, as you break your teeth.
Times, Sunday Times
If he's afraid of breaking his teeth, he should remove them first!
Times, Sunday Times
They told her she was 'lucky' he failed to get inside as he tried to break a window.
The Sun
It's like a hammer: you can use it to build a house or break a window.
Christianity Today
But he was so unlucky to break the window.
The Sun
They break a window and if they set an alarm off they'll carry on.
Times,Sunday Times
I don't want to break the window.
Times, Sunday Times
Besides, you're not going to break your wrist propping up a solid 600 pages.
Times, Sunday Times
He sustained falls and broke his wrist, which surgery failed to fix.
Times, Sunday Times
Midway through his act he attempted to leap on to the piano, but he landed awkwardly, lost his balance and fell off, breaking his wrist.
Times, Sunday Times
A parachutist broke a wrist after crashing down on to a burger van.
The Sun
I fell over and broke my wrist but went to the game anyway.
Times, Sunday Times
Swirl the water, then break the egg in.
The Sun
Break an egg into different-sized shards and layer up on top of cheesecakes and chocolate cakes.
The Sun
Make four dips in the tomatoes and break an egg into each one.
Times, Sunday Times
Break the egg into a cup, then add it to the bowl.
Times, Sunday Times
Break the egg into a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.
Times, Sunday Times
It would probably put further strain on democracy and fail to break the impasse.
Times, Sunday Times
The new parliament would then have to decide how to break the impasse, whether with new elections or a referendum.
Times, Sunday Times
Interesting, but no help to break the impasse.
Times, Sunday Times
Talks are being held to try to break the impasse.
Times, Sunday Times
Or in other situations where dragons gain control, how can you break the impasse?
Christianity Today
Balls do break occasionally, and will lose their bounce over time even without breaking.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
He read out the names and ages of the 13 who died on the day, his voice breaking occasionally.
Times, Sunday Times
About 300 onlookers, pushed back by riot police, watched, shocked into a silence broken occasionally by angry muttering.
Times, Sunday Times
The pattering silences were broken occasionally by a liquid whistle, or a shrill piping.
Times, Sunday Times
As the day drew to a close, they were two of only 17 players to break par.
Times, Sunday Times
Only 20 players managed to break par on the first day.
Times, Sunday Times
But he missed out on two more accolades by failing to break par over the last three holes.
The Sun
Neither player managed to break par during any round in the tournament.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
He began his round with three birdies to keep his advantage on a low-scoring day when 57 of the 75 players broke par.
Times, Sunday Times
Not birds that would make a twitcher's day; not, to be honest, birds that would often cause me to break stride.
Times, Sunday Times
It's just perfect for the wedding she's going to next month - and she hasn't even had to break stride to buy it.
Times, Sunday Times
It's a quiet book, but the shock that comes doesn't break stride with the tone of the rest of the book.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
His second try was a virtuoso effort as he plucked a half-volley of a pass off his toes without breaking stride.
Times, Sunday Times
Taking the ball on his chest, he volleyed it home without breaking stride.
Times, Sunday Times
Detach your rear derailleur, taking care not to break the chain.
Times, Sunday Times
I asked her when she usually tried to break the chain.
Christianity Today
The latest move could prompt other states to reimpose lockdowns, and several cities have done so to break the chain of infection.
Times,Sunday Times
It involved vaccinating everyone in the immediate vicinity of each case, forming a ring of immunity to break the chain of transmission, while tracing and isolating the infected individual's contacts.
Times,Sunday Times
You don't want to break the chain of custody.
Times, Sunday Times
Using confidential information acquired in their work, they play the market and break the law.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The hope is to introduce regulation that will penalise companies if employees break the law or act unethically.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
If they get hurt it's what they deserve, they shouldn't break the law, simples!
The Sun (2015)
More and more drivers are tempted to break the law, and risk serious uncompensated injury to others, by driving uninsured.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But the learner driver managed to break the law as the car was missing an L-plate on the front.
The Sun (2016)
The developers have tried to break the monotony of these setpiece battles with the occasional puzzle, largely unsuccessfully.
Times, Sunday Times
No matter the size, each can provide an escape from the news and break the monotony of being cooped up.
Times,Sunday Times
What a brilliant way to break the monotony of lockdown.
Times,Sunday Times
But there has always been a corrective as rival teams have caught up or intervened with victories to break the monotony.
Times, Sunday Times
But looking forward to an adventure helps to break the monotony of day-to-day routine — it broadens our horizons.
Times,Sunday Times
Couple of months ago we had this ironworker falls off a girder, Finch has to break the news to the wife.
TIME TO MURDER AND CREATE (1976)
He wanted to break the news to Tarja out of the hearing of the rest of the camp.
TREASON KEEP (2001)
Others supply snow chains in a sealed bag and you may only be charged if you break the seal.
The Sun (2016)
After three or four turns the seal was broken and I heard the final sigh of atmosphere being expelled into the airless lunar environs.
ANTI-ICE (2001)
Carlo nestled the beer in his lap and pinged the ring-pull, not breaking the seal.
A DARKENING STAIN (2002)
She'd broken the seal with unsteady fingers, but her fears were unrealized; the contents did not compromise her in any way.
HERE BE DRAGONS
It's amazing, but fellow visitors - the sight and sound of them - can break the spell.
Times, Sunday Times
I need lighter fare to break this spell.
The Times Literary Supplement
Something happens between your feet and the washing machine to break the spell.
Times, Sunday Times
And you only need to find one pal to break the spell of doom.
Times, Sunday Times
Even when the greats are at their most dialled-in, a single fly in the crosshairs can break the spell.
Times, Sunday Times
They may not be enough to break the stalemate.
Times, Sunday Times
Wave after wave of soldiers going 'over the top' were sacrificed in futile attempts to break the stalemate.
Christianity Today
Lately, rebel groups have been attempting to break the stalemate by pushing into government-held territory.
Times, Sunday Times
The big question will therefore be: who can break the stalemate?
Times, Sunday Times
The department stores used the solution to break the stalemate in property development caused by the credit crunch.
Times, Sunday Times
Fraud squad detectives have embarked upon a unique attempt to break the stranglehold that a group of suspected fraudsters holds over hundreds of investors.
Times, Sunday Times
You really must break the stranglehold of attachment, for your own sake.
Times, Sunday Times
Medical schools are also changing their entry requirements in an attempt to break the stranglehold of affluent and privately educated students.
Times, Sunday Times
That might be all he needs to break the stranglehold once and for all next summer.
Times, Sunday Times
He hopes that the project can break the stranglehold of loan sharks in deprived areas.
Times, Sunday Times
As Neil broke the surface of the lagoon and swam towards the beach the two women were waiting for him beside the barbecue.
RUSHING TO PARADISE (2002)
The chickweed, which had parted as he broke the surface, closed again round his shoulders.
A ROOMFUL OF BIRDS - SCOTTISH SHORT STORIES 1990
Old Rawly had been the tip of the iceberg, something that had broken the surface at the time.
THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS (2003)
A second later, he broke the surface, coughing madly, getting as much water as air.
LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)
Before too long, there's a brief break in the motorway.
Times, Sunday Times
It was only a brief break in the one-way traffic, however.
Times, Sunday Times
Just back from collecting her granddaughter from nursery, she has a brief break from a hectic schedule of professional commitments.
Times,Sunday Times
He took a brief break from the role in 2009 before returning in 2010.
Times, Sunday Times
Often they lack the savings to cope with more than a brief break in employment.
Times,Sunday Times
But if, as rumoured, the show doesn't return, could that provide a good opportunity for a clean break and a new chapter for himself?
The Sun
As a result, it was quite tempestuous, there was no clean break.
Times, Sunday Times
He told her it wasn't working out and that it was best to make a clean break.
The Sun
Nobody argues that a clean break will go a long way towards some sort of bill of health.
Times, Sunday Times
Labour called her a 'clean break' candidate untainted by scandal.
The Sun
Expect a cloudy couple of days with drizzle in western parts but any cloud breaks would mean morning frost and possibly lingering fog.
Times, Sunday Times
Today there should be some decent cloud breaks, especially across eastern and southern areas, once a band of rain has cleared the south first thing.
Times, Sunday Times
Any cloud breaks may lead to a slight frost.
Times, Sunday Times
Any cloud breaks allowed patchy fog to form overnight but nights remained frost-free until later in the week.
Times, Sunday Times
Shows have been highlighted by sunsets, eagles, seagulls, gophers, wind, light rain, and timely cloud breaks.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Thanks to this report, those seeking justice will have a head start when finally the dam breaks.
Times, Sunday Times
When the dam breaks, that changes the whole landscape.
Times, Sunday Times
It's a bold, heartrending two-person episode that stretches, pauses, twists and turns before the dam breaks.
The Sun
So that one comes closer and closer to the sound itself until the moment when the dam breaks and the music of the opening bars spills out over the paper.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
One might argue that wealthier savers also deserve a break.
Times, Sunday Times
You'd think by now that they deserve a break - but not a bit of it.
Times, Sunday Times
They have endured some terrible luck in recent years, and deserve a break or two.
Times, Sunday Times
I am more than happy to pay my taxes to help people in desperate need and who genuinely deserve a break.
The Sun
You might think that people who lose a lot of weight deserve a break.
Times, Sunday Times
Some paddle ahead, giving themselves more frequent breaks to gaze at the scenery and take photos.
Times,Sunday Times
If you need to rest take very short but frequent breaks.
Times, Sunday Times
Then again, before social media he used to take frequent breaks from work by calling people or making a cup of tea.
Times,Sunday Times
Take frequent breaks, increase text size and adjust monitor brightness to cut glare.
The Sun
They may also take frequent breaks from playing, play at full tables to be dealt fewer hands per hour, and play more slowly.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Anyone looking for a holiday break this weekend would do well to visit the seaside.
Times, Sunday Times
He goes into the holiday break in terrible shape in the opinion polls.
Times, Sunday Times
However, there are ways to cut the cost of your trip and make a school holiday break affordable.
The Sun
Whether you fancy having a day out shopping, a long weekend trip to see friends, or a full-blown holiday break, there are hundreds of journeys and destinations to choose from.
The Sun
Particularly as you have just come back - or, rather, been brought back - from your first big holiday break of the season.
Times, Sunday Times
As negotiations break down, civility turns to savagery.
Times,Sunday Times
If negotiations break down, the fee would be assessed by an expert and both parties compelled to accept it, as under existing landlord and tenant law.
Times, Sunday Times
However, the broker warns that if the negotiations break down, the shares could drift back to 70p.
Times, Sunday Times
Among his great talents are taking a chance - the tap-andgo, the quick break - but you have to understand the responsibility that goes with that.
Times, Sunday Times
No good to try to escape the gloom by taking a quick break.
Times, Sunday Times
A quick break should see her with a winning lead before the second corner.
The Sun
Travel has been on your mind for a while, be it a quick break away or jetting to the other side of the world.
The Sun
I went for a quick break and wasn't expecting anyone to really be into their cricket.
Times, Sunday Times
For optimists, though, the current crisis offers a chance to make a radical break with the past.
Times, Sunday Times
Striking as these innovations were, nothing prepared his audience for the radical break into three-dimensional form.
The Times Literary Supplement
The scripts that these actors are currently scouring constitute a radical break with kabuki's past, however.
Times, Sunday Times
Far from being a radical break with the past, she argues, the first colonies were intent on reproducing the structures and social etiquette of the motherland.
Times, Sunday Times
For starters, it's a radical break from the political consensus of the past 40 years, which has been to promote competition and customers' interests, rather than protect established businesses.
Times, Sunday Times
Seconds after a scandal breaks, one-liners are already hitting the internet.
The Sun
Only if a scandal breaks out or pressure breaks up a marriage do we begin to express concern.
Christianity Today
Even so, this latest cash-for-honours scandal breaks new and disturbing ground.
Times, Sunday Times
Scandal breaks loose and she faces unrelenting public ostracism.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
The signs are that this year will be no exception despite the bleak winter, so why not turn a snowdrop hunt into a short break.
Times, Sunday Times
Prices generally range from around 300 to 400 for a short break, or 500 to 800 for a week-long break for a couple.
Times, Sunday Times
Then she said that, because of a technical hitch, we would be taking a short break.
Times, Sunday Times
Planning a short break, a family holiday or something a little more adventurous?
Times, Sunday Times
It sleeps four and prices start at 700 for a short break and 1,400 for a week.
Times, Sunday Times
In a briefing, he said 'everyone should take a break in the way they feel most appropriate'.
Times, Sunday Times
In her mid-30s however, she had to take a break.
Houston Chronicle
I'm going to take a break from the apps for a bit.
Times,Sunday Times
Of those who take a break, half said they ate at their desk.
Times, Sunday Times
It was clear from the start that monarchy allows our brains to take a break.
Times, Sunday Times
Rip currents form because waves break on sandy beaches in different places, then find the quickest route back to the sea.
Times, Sunday Times
These small disturbances then grow bigger until the waves break higher up in the atmosphere.
Times,Sunday Times
The problems are compounded in stormy weather when waves break over the line, causing train cancellations.
Times, Sunday Times
With vast windows to watch the waves break, it's all rather gorgeous and chilled, whatever your name.
Times, Sunday Times
When some of the storms scream in, with 100mph winds, and the waves break on the sea wall and splash on the windows, it's an incredible thing to see.
Times, Sunday Times
It was a welcome break from all the packing he's been doing.
The Sun
For some, the first wave was a welcome break from our busy lives.
Times,Sunday Times
You're allocated a table for all meals and can turn up whenever you like, a welcome break from the usual regimentation of fixed dining times.
Times,Sunday Times
It proved a welcome break from the menu choices we had become used to.
The Sun
Households are still enjoying a welcome break from austerity and inflation.
Times, Sunday Times
If you look at the first half of the season before the winter break, we've actually improved.
Times, Sunday Times
And now that we have been granted a winter break?
Times, Sunday Times
We have heard it all before, the need for a winter break, too many cup competitions, etc, etc.
The Sun
If a winter break can help, that needs to be looked at.
The Sun
It's got little to do with fitness or even a winter break.
The Sun
Translations:
Chinese: 弄断, 打破, 弄坏
Japanese: 破壊, 割る, 壊れる/壊す