Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense breaks, present participle breaking, past tense broke, past participle broken
1. verb
When an object breaks or when you break it, it suddenly separates into two or more pieces, often because it has been hitor 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 More Synonyms of break
2. verb
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 More Synonyms of break
Break is also a noun.
It has caused a bad break to Gabriella's leg.
3. verb
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 togetheragain. [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 More Synonyms of break
4. verb
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]
[Also V-ed]
Synonyms: stop working, break down, go wrong, give out More Synonyms of break
5. verb
If you break a rule, promise, or agreement, you do something that you should not do accordingto 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 More Synonyms of break
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 orchange 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 onpower. [VERB noun]
Break is also a noun.
Nothing that might lead to a break in the deadlock has been discussed yet.
8. verb
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 breakin 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
If you breakwith 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 doingthings 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]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: end, stop, cut, drop More Synonyms of break
Break is also a noun.
Making a completely clean break with the past, the couple got rid of all their oldfurniture.
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 More Synonyms of break
13. verb
If someone breaksfor a short period of time, they rest or change from what they are doing for a shortperiod.
They broke for lunch. [VERB]
Synonyms: pause, stop briefly, stop, rest More Synonyms of break
14. countable noun
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
A break is a short holiday.
They are currently taking a short break in Spain. [+ in]
Synonyms: holiday, leave, vacation, time off More Synonyms of break
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 More Synonyms of break
18. verb
To break the force of something such as a blow or fall means to weaken its effect, for exampleby 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 More Synonyms of break
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 More Synonyms of break
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
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 More Synonyms of break
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 More Synonyms of break
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 More Synonyms of break
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 More Synonyms of break
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 More Synonyms of break
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 More Synonyms of break
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.
See the break of day/dawn
34.
See give sb a break
35.
See to make a break (for it)
36. to break the bank
37. to break cover
38. to break even
39. to break new ground
40. to break someone's heart
41. all hell breaks loose
42. to break the ice
43. to break ranks
44. to break wind
Phrasal verbs:
See break away
See break down
See break in
See break into
See break off
See break out
See break through
See break up
More Synonyms of break
break in British English
(breɪk)
verbWord forms: breaks, breaking, broke or broken
1.
to separate or become separated into two or more pieces
this cup is broken
2.
to damage or become damaged so as to be inoperative
my radio is broken
3.
to crack or become cracked without separating
4.
to burst or cut the surface of (skin, etc)
5.
to discontinue or become discontinued
they broke for lunch
to break a journey
6.
to disperse or become dispersed
the clouds broke
7. (transitive)
to fail to observe (an agreement, promise, law, etc)
to break one's word
8. (foll by with)
to discontinue an association (with)
9.
to disclose or be disclosed
he broke the news gently
10. (transitive)
to fracture (a bone) in (a limb, etc)
11. (transitive)
to divide (something complete or perfect)
to break a set of books
12.
to bring or come to an end
the summer weather broke at last
13. (transitive)
to bring to an end by or as if by force
to break a strike
14. (whenintr, often foll by out)
to escape (from)
they broke jail
they broke out of jail
15.
to weaken or overwhelm or be weakened or overwhelmed, as in spirit
16. (transitive)
to cut through or penetrate
a cry broke the silence
17. (transitive)
to improve on or surpass
to break a record
18. (transitive; often foll byin)
to accustom (a horse) to the bridle and saddle, to being ridden, etc
19. (transitive; often foll byof)
to cause (a person) to give up (a habit)
this cure will break you of smoking
20. (transitive)
to weaken the impact or force of
this net will break his fall
21. (transitive)
to decipher
to break a code
22. (transitive)
to lose the order of
to break ranks
23. (transitive)
to reduce to poverty or the state of bankruptcy
24. (whenintr, foll by into)
to obtain, give, or receive smaller units in exchange for; change
to break a ten-pound note
25. (transitive) mainly military
to demote to a lower rank
26. (intr; often foll by from or out of)
to proceed suddenly
27. (intransitive)
to come into being
light broke over the mountains
28. (intr; foll by into or out into)
a.
to burst into song, laughter, etc
b.
to change to a faster pace
29. (transitive)
to open with explosives
to break a safe
30. (intransitive)(of waves)
a. (often foll by against)
to strike violently
b.
to collapse into foam or surf
31. (intransitive)
(esp of fish) to appear above the surface of the water
32. (intransitive)
(of the amniotic fluid surrounding an unborn baby) to be released when the amniotic sac ruptures in the first stage of labour
her waters have broken
33. (intransitive) informal, mainly US
to turn out in a specified manner
things are breaking well
34. (intransitive)
(of prices, esp stock exchange quotations) to fall sharply
35. (intransitive)
to make a sudden effort, as in running, horse racing, etc
36. (intransitive) cricket
(of a ball) to change direction on bouncing
37. (transitive) cricket
(of a player) to knock down at least one bail from (a wicket)
38. (intransitive) billiards, snooker
to scatter the balls at the start of a game
39. (intransitive) horse racing
to commence running in a race
they broke even
40. (intransitive) boxing, wrestling
(of two fighters) to separate from a clinch
41. (intransitive) music
a.
(of the male voice) to undergo a change in register, quality, and range at puberty
b.
(of the voice or some instruments) to undergo a change in tone, quality, etc, whenchanging registers
42. (intransitive) phonetics
(of a vowel) to turn into a diphthong, esp as a development in the language
43. (transitive)
to open the breech of (certain firearms) by snapping the barrel away from the butt on its hinge
44. (transitive)
to interrupt the flow of current in (an electrical circuit)
Compare make1 (sense 27)
45. (intransitive) informal, mainly US
to become successful; make a breakthrough
46. break bread
47. break camp
48. break ground
49. break one's back
50. break the back of
51. break the bank
52. break the ice
53. break the mould
54. break service
55. break wind
noun
56.
the act or result of breaking; fracture
57.
a crack formed as the result of breaking
58.
a brief respite or interval between two actions
a break from one's toil
59.
a sudden rush, esp to escape
to make a break for freedom
60.
a breach in a relationship
she has made a break from her family
61.
any sudden interruption in a continuous action
62. British
a short period between classes at school
US and Canadian equivalent: recess
63. informal
a fortunate opportunity, esp to prove oneself
64. informal
a piece of (good or bad) luck
65.
(esp in a stock exchange) a sudden and substantial decline in prices
66. prosody
a pause in a line of verse; caesura
67. billiards, snooker
a.
a series of successful shots during one turn
b.
the points scored in such a series
68. billiards, snooker
a.
the opening shot with the cue ball that scatters the placed balls
b.
the right to take this first shot
69. Also called: service break, break of serve tennis
the act or instance of breaking an opponent's service
70.
one of the intervals in a sporting contest
71. horse racing
the start of a race
an even break
72.
(in tenpin bowling) failure to knock down all the pins after the second attempt
73.
a. jazz
a short usually improvised solo passage
b.
an instrumental passage in a pop song
74.
a discontinuity in an electrical circuit
75.
access to a radio channel by a citizens' band operator
76. a variant spelling of brake1 (sense 6)
exclamation
77. boxing, wrestling
a command by a referee for two opponents to separate
Word origin
Old English brecan; related to Old Frisian breka, Gothic brikan, Old High German brehhan, Latin frangere Sanskrit bhráj bursting forth
to cause to come apart by force; split or crack sharply into pieces; smash; burst
2.
a.
to cut open the surface of (soil, the skin, etc.)
b.
to fracture a bone of
3.
to cause the failure of by force or extralegal measures
to break a strike
4.
to make unusable or inoperative by cracking, disrupting, etc.
5.
to tame or make obedient with or as with force
6.
a.
to cause to get rid (of a habit)
b.
to get rid of (a habit)
7.
to lower in rank or grade; demote
8.
a.
to reduce to poverty or bankruptcy
b.
to ruin the chance for success of
c.
to wreck the health, spirit, etc. of
9.
to surpass (a record)
10.
to fail to follow the terms of (a law, promise, agreement, etc.); violate
11.
a.
to open or enter by force
now chiefly in break and enter
b.
to escape from by force
to break prison
12.
to disrupt the order or completeness of; make irregular
the troops broke formation and ran
13.
to interrupt (a journey, electric circuit, etc.)
14.
to reduce the force of by interrupting (a fall, the wind, etc.)
15.
to bring to a sudden end
to break a tie
16.
a.
to make or create (a path, way, etc.) as by removing obstructions
b.
to cut through or penetrate (silence, darkness, etc.)
17.
to make known; tell; disclose
18.
a.
to decipher
to break a code
b.
to succeed in solving
to break a criminal case
19.
to make (a will) invalid by legal process
20.
to prove (an alibi) to be false
21.
to begin; open; start
22.
to exchange (a bill or coin) for smaller units
23.
to open (a rifle or shotgun) at the breech
24. Tennis
to win a game from (an opponent who is serving)
verb intransitive
25.
to split into pieces; come apart; burst
26.
to scatter; disperse
to break and run
27.
to force one's way (through obstacles or resistance)
28.
to quarrel; stop associating (with)
29.
to become unusable or inoperative; go out of order
30.
to suffer a sudden fall in prices, financial condition, etc.
31.
to change suddenly, as by a sharp rise, fall, turn, shift, etc.
his voice broke; the hot spell broke
32.
a.
to move away suddenly
the base runner broke for second
b.
to move apart, or withdraw, from a clinch in boxing
33. US
to move into a gait other than the trot or pace required
said of a horse in harness racing
34.
to begin suddenly to utter, perform, etc.
with into, forth in, or out in
to break into song
35.
to come suddenly into being, evidence, or general knowledge
day was breaking; the story broke
36.
to appear suddenly above water, as a periscope, fish, etc.
37. US
to stop activity temporarily
we broke for lunch
38.
a.
to fall apart slowly; disintegrate
b.
to dash apart, as a wave on the shore
39.
to suffer a collapse of health, vitality, spirit, etc.
40.
to change into a diphthong
said of vowels
41. US
to curve, dip, or rise near the plate
said of a pitched baseball
42. US
to begin a game of pocket billiards with a break (sense 56)
43. Informal
to happen in a certain way
things were breaking badly
noun
44.
a breaking open or apart; breach; fracture
45.
a.
a breaking in, out, or forth
b. US
a sudden move away or toward; rush; dash
46.
the result of a breaking; broken place; separation; crack
47.
a beginning or appearance
the break of day
48.
an interruption of a regular or continuous arrangement, action, etc.
49.
the result of this; a gap, interval, pause, omission, rest, etc.
50.
a breach in friendly relations
51.
a sudden change, as in weather
52. US
an escape, as from prison
53. US
a sudden lowering or drop, as of prices
54.
an imperfection; flaw
55.
an unbroken series or sequence, as of points in billiards
56. US
the opening shot in a game of pocket billiards, in which the cue ball must come intocontact with at least one ball in the rack; often, a shot that scatters the racked balls
57. US, Basketball
fast break
58. US
a.
a piece of luck, often specif. of good luck
b.
an advantage or opportunity
c.
exceptional or favorable treatment
59. Music
a.
the point where one register changes to another
b.
the abrupt change in quality of a voice or instrument at this point
c.
in jazz, a brief, usually improvised passage by one band member who continues toplay while the others stop
60. Printing
a.
a space between paragraphs
b.
the place at which a column or page of text stops, to be continued as on anothercolumn or page
c.
a point at which a word is divided, as at the end of a line
Idioms:
break a leg!
break away
break down
break even
break in
break in on
break off
break out
break up
give someone a break
SYNONYMY NOTE: break, the most general of these terms, expresses their basic idea of separating into piecesas a result of impact, stress, etc.; , smash, crash1 add connotations of suddenness, violence, and noise; , crush suggests a crumpling or pulverizing pressure; , shatter, sudden fragmentation and a scattering of pieces; , crack1, incomplete separation of parts or a sharp, snapping noise in breaking; , split, separation lengthwise, as along the direction of grain or layers; , fracture, the breaking of a hard or rigid substance, as bone or rock; , splinter, the splitting of wood, etc. into long, thin, sharp pieces. All of these terms areused figuratively to imply great force or damage [to break someone's heart, smash someone's hopes, crush the opposition, shatter someone's nerves, etc.]
Word origin
ME breken < OE brecan < IE base *bhreg- > breach, breech, Ger brechen, L frangere
More idioms containing
break
break someone's heart
break new ground
break ground
break a leg
break a butterfly on a wheel
never be given an even break
give me a break
break the bank
break your back
break the back of something
break the ice
break ranks
break the mould
Examples of 'break' in a sentence
break
One thing you've got to say about George, he's been real conscientious helping us break in his replacement.
Anthony Masters CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2001)
The Raiders left in platoons of one hundred, which would break into smaller groups once they were clear of the battlefield.
Jennifer Fallon TREASON KEEP (2001)
Any of them come close, especially Sammy, get out there and break their legs.
Anthony Masters CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2001)
In other languages
break
British English: break /breɪk/ NOUN
A break is the result of breaking.
It caused a bad break to her leg.
American English: break
Arabic: كَسْر
Brazilian Portuguese: fratura
Chinese: 弄断
Croatian: prijelom
Czech: přestávka
Danish: brud
Dutch: breuk
European Spanish: fractura
Finnish: murtuma
French: cassure
German: Bruch
Greek: σπάσιμο
Italian: frattura
Japanese: 破壊
Korean: 골절
Norwegian: pause
Polish: złamanie
European Portuguese: fractura
Romanian: ruptură
Russian: перерыв
Latin American Spanish: ruptura
Swedish: rast
Thai: การแตกหัก
Turkish: kırık
Ukrainian: перелом
Vietnamese: sự vỡ
British English: break /breɪk/ VERB
smash When something breaks, or when you break it, it goes into pieces.
I dropped a plate and it broke.
American English: break
Arabic: يَكْسِر
Brazilian Portuguese: quebrar
Chinese: 打破
Croatian: slomiti
Czech: rozbít
Danish: brække
Dutch: breken
European Spanish: romper
Finnish: rikkoa
French: casser
German: brechen
Greek: σπάω
Italian: rompere
Japanese: 割る
Korean: ...을 깨다 금이 가다
Norwegian: brekke
Polish: złamać
European Portuguese: quebrar
Romanian: a sparge
Russian: прерывать
Latin American Spanish: romper
Swedish: ha sönder
Thai: ฝ่าฝืน ขัดขืน
Turkish: kırmak
Ukrainian: розбивати
Vietnamese: làm vỡ
British English: break /breɪk/ VERB
stop working If a machine breaks, or if you break it, it stops working.
My brother broke the television.
American English: break
Arabic: يَكْسِرُ
Brazilian Portuguese: quebrar
Chinese: 弄坏
Croatian: razviti
Czech: rozbít (se)stroj
Danish: ødelægge
Dutch: kapot gaan
European Spanish: romper
Finnish: rikkoa
French: arrêterarrêter de fonctionner
German: brechen
Greek: χαλώ
Italian: rompere
Japanese: 壊れる/壊す
Korean: 중단하다
Norwegian: ødelegge
Polish: zepsuć
European Portuguese: estragar
Romanian: a se strica
Russian: сломать
Latin American Spanish: romperfallar
Swedish: gå sönder
Thai: เสีย ชำรุด
Turkish: bozmak
Ukrainian: ламати
Vietnamese: hỏng hóc
All related terms of 'break'
break in
If someone, usually a thief , breaks in , they get into a building by force.
break off
If part of something breaks off or if you break it off , it comes off or is removed by force .
break out
If something such as war , fighting , or disease breaks out , it begins suddenly.
break up
When something breaks up or when you break it up , it separates or is divided into several smaller parts.
leg break
a bowled ball that spins from leg to off on pitching
off break
a bowled ball that spins from off to leg on pitching
tax break
If the government gives a tax break to a particular group of people or type of organization , it reduces the amount of tax they have to pay or changes the tax system in a way that benefits them.
tea break
If you have a tea break , you stop working and have a cup of tea or coffee.
tie-break
A tie-break is an extra game which is played in a tennis match when the score in a set is 6-6. The player who wins the tie-break wins the set.
break away
If you break away from someone who is trying to hold you or catch you, you free yourself and run away.
break bread
to eat a meal, esp with others
break camp
to pack up equipment and leave a camp
break cover
(esp of game animals) to come out from a shelter or hiding place
break dance
an acrobatic dance style originating in the 1980s
break down
If a machine or a vehicle breaks down , it stops working .
break even
to attain a level of activity, as in commerce , or a point of operation , as in gambling , at which there is neither profit nor loss
break into
If someone breaks into a building , they get into it by force.
break loose
to free oneself by force
break point
a point which allows the receiving player to break the service of the server
break ranks
to disobey the instructions of a group or organization of which you are a member, and express your own opinion
break step
to cease to march in step
break wind
to emit wind from the anus
break with
to end a relationship or association with (someone or an organization or social group)
city break
a short holiday spent in a city
fast break
a play, as in basketball , in which a team quickly moves down the playing area in an attempt to score before an adequate defense can be set up
lucky break
a fortunate and unexpected turn of events
lunch break
Your lunch break is the period in the middle of the day when you stop work in order to have a meal .
March break
a school holiday , usually for a week , during March
mini-break
A mini-break is a short holiday.
page break
a mark in an electronic document that indicates where the printer will start a new page
price break
a reduction in price , esp for bulk purchase
break dancing
a style of dance engaged in by youths , involving acrobatic movements, spinning about on the head or shoulders , etc.
break feeding
the feeding of animals on paddocks where feeding space is controlled by the frequent movement of an electric fence
break ground
to start building something
break service
to win a game in which an opponent is serving
break through
If you break through a barrier , you succeed in forcing your way through it.
career break
If someone takes a career break , they stop working in their particular profession for a period of time, with the intention of returning to it later.
coffee break
A coffee break is a short period of time, usually in the morning or afternoon, when you stop working and have a cup of coffee.
service break
a tennis game won when the other player was serving
station break
a break in a programme when listeners or viewers are told which channel they are listening to, or viewing
break a leg!
said to a performer who is about to go on stage as a way of wishing them good luck
break in on
to intrude on
break of day
→ another term for dawn (sense 1 )
break it down
stop it
break of serve
the act or instance of breaking an opponent's service
break the bank
to cost too much money
break the ice
to say or do something to make people feel relaxed and comfortable at a party or a meeting
break the mold
If you say that someone breaks the mold , you mean that they do completely different things from what has been done before or from what is usually done.
break-up value
the value of an organization assuming that it will not continue to trade
commercial break
A commercial break is the interval during a commercial television programme, or between programmes, during which advertisements are shown .
Chinese translation of 'break'
break
(breɪk)
Word forms:ptbroke
Word forms:ppbroken
vt
[cup, window etc]打碎 (dǎsuì)
[leg, arm]弄断(斷) (nòngduàn)
[equipment]损(損)坏(壞) (sǔnhuài)
[promise, contract]违(違)背 (wéibèi)
[law, rule]违(違)反 (wéifǎn)
[record]打破 (dǎpò)
[habit, pattern etc]改变(變) (gǎibiàn)
[person]毁(毀)掉 (huǐdiào)
⇒ He never let his jailers break him.他是永远不会让他的监狱看守弄垮的。 (Tā shì yǒngyuǎn bù huì ràng tā de jiānyù kāishǒu nòngkuǎ de.)
[fall, impact]减(減)弱 (jiǎnruò)
⇒ The trees broke his fall.树丛使他下落的坠势稍缓。 (Shùcóng shǐ tā xiàluò de zhuìshì shāo huǎn.)
[news]透露 (tòulù)
⇒ Then Louise broke the news that she was leaving me.然后路易丝向我透露她要和我分手。 (Ránhòu Lùyìsī xiàng wǒ tòulù tā yào hé wǒ fènshǒu.)
[code]破译(譯) (pòyì)
(Tennis)[sb's serve]破发(發)成功 (pòfā chénggōng)
vi
[cup, window etc]破碎 (pòsuì)
[storm, weather]突然发(發)生 (tūrán fāshēng)
[dawn, day]破晓(曉) (pòxiǎo)
[story, news]传(傳)开(開) (chuánkāi)
(= pause, rest) 暂(暫)停 (zàntíng)
⇒ They broke for lunch.他们暂停去吃午餐了。 (Tāmen zàntíng qù chī wǔcān le.)
[wave]冲(衝)击(擊) (chōngjī)
[voice] (of boy) 变(變)声(聲) (biànshēng)
n
(c) (= rest) 休息 (xiūxi)
⇒ I'm going to have a break.我要休息一下。 (Wǒ yào xiūxi yīxià.)