Break
The many uses of break all share the idea of a separation or change. Often, these disconnections or
transformations are quick, resulting from a powerful release of force. The most basic meaning of break is a
sudden separation of a physical object into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain:
I threw a rock at the mirror and broke it.
Your bones are strong, but they can be broken.
If the cables supporting this bridge break, we’ll be in serious trouble.
The waves are breaking as they hit the shore.
If the snake bites you, its fangs will break your skin.
Many non-physical things can also be figuratively broken:
Can you break these singles?
I need coins for the washing machine.
My girlfriend broke my heart when she said she didn’t want to be with me anymore.
The rescued dog’s spirit had been broken by its previous, abusive owner.
We were able to break the code and discover what the enemy was planning.
All of the customers asked for their money at the same time and broke the bank.
This is the car that broke the land speed world record!
You can also violate something figuratively when you break it:
A man broke the law by firing a gun in a public place.
The man broke his silence when he confessed to the crime in court.
He hated to break a promise to his daughter, so he left his meeting early and took her to the park.
They shook hands, but the agreement was later broken.
I went on a diet of fruits and vegetables, but broke it when I saw some delicious cake.
There are also times when something can be broken when it has a problem or disconnection that stops it from
operating properly:
I think the machine’s broken.
It’s pressing soap, but it’s supposed to be
making shoes!
Additionally, you can break the continuity of something physical or non-physical when you stop it from moving from
one place, event or sequence to the next:
Solid lines in the middle of the road mean you can’t pass cars in front of you.
Broken lines, however, mean you can pass other cars.
The table broke the fall of the money.
The table stopped the money from falling any further.
They’re enjoying a break in the middle of their hike.
Economists noticed a decline in tax revenue, indicating that the pattern of growth had been broken.
Additionally, you can break the continuity of something physical or non-physical when you stop it from moving from
one place, event or sequence to the next:
If your concentration is broken, you won’t be able to perform at your best.
With the birth of the baby, the ancestral line of this family of baboons remains unbroken.
Bad habits can be difficult to break.
With the final shot, the tie was broken and our team won the game!
When you eat breakfast, you break the fast of not eating all night.
Something can also change or enter a new state when it breaks:
If we don’t find shelter before the storm
breaks, we’ll be soaked by the rain.
Finally, break can describe something being revealed suddenly:
The political scandal that had broken
threatened to end the careers of many
politicians.