break off
phrasal verbbreak off
- to become separated from something as a result of force
- The back section of the plane had broken off.
- to stop speaking or stop doing something for a time
- He broke off in the middle of a sentence.
- He broke off abruptly when Jo walked in.
- break off from something She broke off from the conversation to answer the telephone.
break something off
- to separate something, using force
- She broke off a piece of chocolate and gave it to me.
- to end something suddenly
- Britain threatened to break off diplomatic relations.
- They've broken off their engagement.