break off
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle off
Meanings
Suddenly end a relationship, discussion, activity, or official contact
Why “off”? Something is delayed, interrupted, reduced, or brought to an end.
“They broke off the engagement.”
“The school broke off talks with the club.”
“She broke off in the middle of a sentence.”
“The two countries broke off relations.”
Detach a piece from something larger by breaking
Why “off”? A piece detaches from the whole. Contact with the body is broken.
“She broke off a piece of chocolate.”
“He broke off a dry branch.”
“A handle broke off in my hand.”
Take a short pause from an activity
“Let's break off for lunch.”
“Can we break off for ten minutes?”
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“They broke off the engagement.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
break in
A contrast learners often mix up
Enter a building illegally by force; Interrupt a conversation and begin speaking
break up
A contrast learners often mix up
Break into pieces; End a relationship or gathering
back off
Same off pattern: separation
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat; Stop pressuring or interfering with someone; Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
bite off
Same off pattern: separation
Remove a piece of something by biting it; Accept more work or responsibility than you can manage ("bite off more than you can chew"); Speak sharply and curtly
block off
Same off pattern: separation
Block access to an area or route; Reserve a period of time for a specific purpose
blow off
Same off pattern: separation
Be removed by force, especially wind; Cancel plans or fail to meet someone deliberately; Release strong feelings, especially anger; Remove dust or particles by blowing air on them
brush off
Same off pattern: separation
Dismiss something or someone as unimportant; Remove dust or dirt by sweeping it lightly; Refuse to talk to someone politely
buy off
Same off pattern: stopping
Bribe someone to stop opposing you
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