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. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
In this country a house is broken into every 24 seconds. [VERBPARTICLE 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. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
Then, breaking into a smile, he said, 'I brought you something.' [VERBPARTICLE 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. [VERBPARTICLE noun]
See full dictionary entry for break
break into in British English
verb(intr, preposition)
1.
to enter (a house, etc) illegally, esp by force
2.
to change abruptly from a slower to a faster speed
the horse broke into a gallop
3.
to consume (supplies held in reserve)
at the end of the exercise the soldiers had to break into their iron rations
Examples of 'break into' in a sentence
break into
Through the wall, fifteen or so Kurds begin a heated argument, and then spontaneously break into rousing song.
Alex George LOVE YOU MADLY (2002)
Suddenly I was aware that his neatly parted grey hair was a wig, a discovery which triggered an irrational urge to break into laughter.
Secombe, Fred GOODBYE CURATE (2002)
Chinese translation of 'break into'
break into
vt fus
[house]强(強)行进(進)入 (qiángxíng jìnrù)
[new activity]开(開)始进(進)入 (kāishǐ jìnrù)
⇒ She finally broke into films after an acclaimed stage career.继一段成功的舞台生涯之后她最终投身电影业。 (Jì yī duàn chénggōng de wǔdǎo shēngyá zhīhòu tā zuìzhōng tóushēn diànyǐngyè.)
to break into song/a run突然唱起来(來)/跑了起来(來) (tūrán chàng qǐlái/pǎole qǐlái)