Phrasal verb Break down: meaning, as well as other variations with the verb Break. Phrasal verb break Phrasal verb broke

phrasal verb

break into pieces
end a relationship, marriage, engagement, marriage; break up, separate
close educational institution for vacation, dismiss students for vacation

There is an English phrasal verb “ to break up" It means to break into pieces. Here are some examples of ways in which we can use it.

In English there is a phrasal verb " to break up". It means " break into pieces". Here are some examples of its use.

Imagine a storm at sea. The wind and the waves drive a ship onto the rocks. The waves smash the ship into pieces. The ship breaks up.

Imagine a storm at sea. Hurricane and waves carry the ship onto the rocks. The surf breaks the ship into pieces. Ship broken.

Or, think about the great ice sheets in the Arctic and the Antarctic. Many scientists say that, because the world’s climate is getting warmer, the ice sheets are starting to break up.

Or, for example, the ice cover of the Arctic and Southern Oceans. Many scientists warn that due to global warming it is beginning to fall to pieces.

Or, think about a really old car. You have had it for many years. You and it have had some fine adventures together. But now the engine does not start. And when, eventually, it does start, there are horrible clunking sounds and a cloud of black smoke comes out of the exhaust pipe. The car is finished. You take the car to the scrap yard where they break it up, so that the metal and some of the parts can be re-used.

Or a very old car. You've been driving it for years. You've seen a lot together. But the engine won't start anymore. And if it does start, it’s with a terrible roar and black smoke pouring out of the exhaust pipe. The car is finished. You take it to a scrap metal collection point, where it will be torn apart, which can be used again.

And sometimes we say that a relationship breaks up. For instance, Joe and Mary have been going out together for a few months. They are boyfriend and girlfriend. But then they disagree and argue. Joe starts to think that he really doesn’t like Mary very much. Mary starts to think that Joe is selfish and boring. They break up. They decide that they are not going to be boyfriend and girlfriend any more.

And sometimes we can say this about the end of a relationship. For example, Joe and Mary have been dating for several months. They are a couple. But then they start quarreling and arguing. Joe begins to realize that he doesn't like Mary that much. Mary begins to think that Joe is selfish and boring. They break up. They decide they won't date again.

You may be thinking that “break up” is a rather sad expression. We use it to talk about shipwrecks, and cars that have reached the end of their lives, and relationships which come to an end. But there is at least one really happy use of “break up”. We can say that a school breaks up. That means, simply, that it is the end of term. It is the beginning of the holidays.

You probably think that "break up" is a very sad expression. We talk about shipwrecks, and cars that have outlived their usefulness, and relationships that have come to an end. But it also has at least one joyful meaning. We can say this about finishing school. This simply means the end of the quarter. This is the beginning of the holidays.

There is a primary school behind my house. The school breaks up today. Today is the last day of the school term. The children are very happy. They are making even more noise in the school playground than they usually do. After today, there will be six weeks with no school. Six weeks to stay late in bed. Six weeks to play in the garden. Six weeks to watch rubbish programs on daytime television and to play on the computer. Six weeks to visit your grandparents, or to go on holiday. Six weeks to argue with your older sister. Six weeks to drive your parents mad.

I live next to an elementary school. Classes end Today. Today is the last day of the quarter. The children are overjoyed. On sports ground there is even more noise than usual. Tomorrow marks six weeks of freedom. You won't have to get up early for six weeks. Six weeks to play outside. For six weeks you will be able to watch stupid programs on TV and play on the computer all day. Six weeks to visit grandparents or go on a trip. Six weeks to argue with older sister. Six weeks to drive your parents crazy.

Hello dear friends. Phrasal verbs are very common in the English language and always raise a lot of questions among English learners. Essentially, a phrasal verb is a combination of a verb with a preposition, which in a sentence is a single semantic unit that has a meaning, as a rule, very different from the main meaning of the verb.

Today I would like to look at interesting phrasal verbs with break and show examples of how they are used in sentences. The basic meaning of break is to break, break, destroy.

Phrasal Verb Meanings break

break in- to break in, to break in

The thieves waited until it was dark enough to break in.
The thieves waited until it was dark enough before they started breaking in.

break in– intervene (in a conversation); interrupt (conversation)

But I was there, Jane broke in.
“But I was there,” Jane interjected.

break in– wear out (clothes, shoes), run in (a new car)

Don’t drive the new car too fast, I’m still breaking it in.
Don't drive so fast, I'm still breaking this car in.

break in- interrupt (sth.)

The loud bell on the clock broke in upon his dreams.
The loud ringing of a clock interrupted his sleep.

break into– invade using economic or political advantages; break in; to become enlightened; break out; rush

He felt so happy that he broke into song (= suddenly began to sing).
He felt happy that he suddenly started singing a song.

break down- break, break

The prisoner's opposition broke down under repeated questioning.
Repeated interrogation broke the resistance of the arrested person.

break down– deteriorate, give up (about health)

You will break down if you work too hard.
If you work too much, you will lose your health.

break off– suddenly interrupt (conversation, acquaintance); suddenly stop (conversation, friendship, acquaintance)

I broke off with them over a year ago.

break up- stop, finish

The party broke up when the police arrived.
The party was interrupted when the police showed up.

break up– disperse, fall apart (about a group, company); fall apart, fall apart (about family)

I hear that Joan and Steve are breaking up.
I heard that Joan and Steve are getting divorced.

break up– (British) to close for the holidays

When does your school break up?
When does your school close for holidays?

break up- upset, disturb mental balance

She says, her sister is going to be married and that she fears it will break her up.
She says that her sister is getting married and she is afraid that this will bring her a lot of grief.

break up– American; decomposition scary to have fun, burst with laughter

The camera had only to turn to Tommy Cooper for the audience to break up with laughter.
As soon as the camera aimed at Tommy Cooper, the entire audience burst out laughing.

break up– divide (into smaller parts)

The job can be broken up into several activities, which provides some variety.
The work can be divided into different types activity, which will introduce some variety into it.

break up– disappear, be interrupted (about a radio signal)

You are breaking up.
You're disappearing. (i.e. you cannot be heard; while talking on a mobile phone)

break out- break out, break out (from prison, etc.)

Forget about 'em. Fast! - No. I can't. I have to break out of here. Can it be done?
Forget about them. And quickly! - No. I can't. I have to get out of here. Is this possible?

break out– flare up, explode (about war, fight, hostility, fire, noise, etc.)

But fighting may break out at any time, so we will work quickly.
But a battle could break out at any time, so we will act quickly.

break out– flash, light up (with a smile); burst out (with laughter); become covered (with perspiration, pimples, etc.)

Halston broke out in perspiration.
Halston broke out in a sweat.

Exercise

The phrasal verb break is most often followed by the following words:

– down
– into
– out
– out of
– up

Choose the correct word to insert.

1. They think the forest fire broke ____ because of a loose electrical wire.

2. Burglars broke ____ Dad’s office last night and stole his computer.

3. James and Mandy had a terrible argument and then they broke ____.

4. What’s wrong with the washing machine now? It’s always breaking ____!

5. They broke ____ prison and escaped.

Answers

1. They think the forest fire broke out because of a loose electrical wire. “The forest fire is believed to have started due to a loose wire.

2. Burglars broke into Dad’s office last night and stole his computer. – Robbers broke into my father’s office and stole the computer.

3. James and Mandy had a terrible argument and then they broke up. – James and Mandy had a big fight and broke up.

4. What’s wrong with the washing machine now? It's always breaking down! – What’s wrong with the washing machine? It keeps breaking down!

5. They broke out of prison and escaped. “They escaped from prison and went into hiding.

Phrasal Verbs in English

break out

break out- (v.) 1. To begin showing a rash or other skin disorder. Often used with. * /He broke out with scarlet fever./ 2. To speak or act suddenly and violently. * /He broke out laughing./ * /She broke out, That is not so! / 3. To begin and become… … Dictionary of American idioms

break out- happen, emerge appear, arise, begin, burst forth, commence, erupt, explode, occur, set in, spring up, start; concept 701 break out escape abscond, bolt, break loose, burst out, bust out*, depart, flee, get free, leave; concepts 102,195 … New thesaurus

break out- ()brā kau̇t vi 1) to be affected with a skin eruption and esp. one indicator of the presence of a particular disease breaking out with measles 2) of a disease to manifest itself by skin eruptions 3) to become covered with break out… … Medical dictionary

break out- (something) to make food or drink available. Break out the champagne and drink to the couple's health! ... New idioms dictionary

break out- break out 1) (of something undesirable) start suddenly. 2) escape. 3) informal open and start using (something). Main Entry: break … English terms dictionary

break out in- break out in be suddenly affected by an unpleasant sensation or condition. Main Entry: break … English terms dictionary

break-out- see break n.1 1 b … Useful english dictionary

break out- index escape Burton's Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …Law dictionary

break|out- “BRAYK OWT”, noun, adjective. –n. 1. the act or condition of becoming free of or escaping (from): "a breakout from prison. 2. = breakthrough (def. 1). (Cf. breakthrough) –adj. outstanding and noticeably successful: "a breakout performance that... ... Useful english dictionary

break out- phrasal verb Word forms break out: present tense I/you/we/they break out he/she/it breaks out present participle breaking out past tense broke out past participle broken out 1) if something bad such as a war or disease breaks out...English dictionary

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The prevalence of phrasal verbs in English always raises many questions for those who begin to learn the language. Subtle shades of meaning are very difficult to remember at first. Confidence comes with practice, you just need to remember the most important meanings, sometimes even just memorize them.

Let's go through some expressions in order to have an idea of the intricacies of translating phrasal verbs with the word “break”. The word “break” in the dictionary has a huge variety of translations and meanings. In general, it means “the process of passing from something whole to something smaller” or “destruction.” Phrasal verbs with the word “break” have a huge number of meanings. Let's look at some of them.

A fly in the ointment

Since the word “break” itself already has some negative meaning (to break, break), it is quite obvious that many phrasal verbs formed from it will also have some negative connotation.

Break down - to break, break

Break down- this verb can characterize the state of mechanisms or human health. It has a somewhat negative connotation. In the case of mechanisms, it will mean “break or break,” and in the case of people’s health, it will mean “deteriorate, fail.” Compare:

My drill has broken down.— My drill is broken. (The case with mechanisms)
You can break down if you do not give up smoking. — You can undermine your health if you don’t quit smoking. (As for people)

Break in - break in, break in

Phrasal verb break in can have different meanings, it depends on the attitude towards the objects in the conversation. The basic meaning is “to break in” or “to break in.”
For example:

Police broke into the house to neutralize the gangsters. — The police broke into the house in order to neutralize the bandits.

But this is not all the meanings of this phrasal verb. If the situation being described is related to a conversation, then the verb break in can be translated as “to interfere.” If you had to interrupt someone's conversation, you can politely apologize by saying: I'm so sorry to break in on your conversation. - I apologize for interfering in your conversation.

The next value you may encounter using break in- this is “to run in, go around”, for example, when we talk about horses or cars. This use of this verb will be especially interesting for men. For example:

It was difficult for him to break in this horse. “It was difficult for him to break this horse.”
You have to break in this new car. — You need to test drive this new car.

Break out - to begin, to break out

Break out has a very simple meaning and is therefore extremely easy to apply. Its main translation is “to begin, to break out, to flare up.” This is usually said about the beginning of a war or crisis. For example:

The world financial crisis broke out in 2008. — The global financial crisis began in 2008.

But you can also find this verb in other contexts. Such a meaning break out how to “break out” can be used in the following form: We had to break the door out to escape from the fire. “We had to break down the door to get out of the fire.”

There is another meaning of the phrasal verb break out- this is “to run away”. This can apply to any situation where a person leaves a place without permission and secretly, perhaps using force. For example:

Three men broke out of prison yesterday. — Three people escaped from prison yesterday.

Break off - fall off, break off

Break off means “fall off, break off” - also not a very pleasant situation, which it is better not to encounter. For example:

The wing of the plane broke off unexpectedly. — The plane’s wing suddenly fell off.

Break up - to fall apart, fall apart

Break up- another unpleasant situation that can happen with the participation of phrasal verbs. This is the case when people end relationships, i.e. diverge. In this case we use the verb break up(diverge). For example:

Did you know that July and Tom broke up? - Do you know that Julie and Tom are separated?

But we can also use it in relation to inanimate objects in the meaning of “decay, fall apart, cease.” For example:

He tried to break up the fight between two friends. — He was trying to stop a fight between two friends.

Forward and only forward!

There are several other phrasal verbs with the word "break". These are verbs like break through(break through, break through) break away(run away, escape) break loose(run away) and break ahead(break out; break through). They, as you can see, have positive meanings, indicating some progress. Compare some examples:

Finally the sun broke through after days of rain. — Finally, after many rainy days, the sun came out.
This part of the country wanted to break away and become independent. “This part of the country wanted to secede and become independent.
The army broke forth to the East. — The army broke through to the east.
Two prisoners broke loose but they were caught this morning. — Two prisoners escaped but were caught this morning.

As you can see, there are a large number of phrasal verbs with the word “break”. There are even more different meanings and combinations, but they are quite easy to remember, because one way or another they are all connected with the main meaning of “break” (to break, break). More detailed translations and examples can be found in any online or offline dictionary. Depending on the context, you can use any of these phrasal verbs and thus make your speech more rich, varied and vibrant.

List of useful phrases

break down - break, crash, deteriorate
break in/into - break in, break in
broke out - to run away, to begin, to break out
break off - break off, fall off
breK up - to part, break up, stop
break through - break through, break through
break away - run away, escape
break loose - run away
break forth - break out, break through

Big and friendly EnglishDom family

The largest category of words in the English language are verbs. Their list can increase several times if we add phrasal verbs to these verbs, which are used in speech no less often than standard ones. Phrasal verbs are verbs that contain a verb with an adverb and/or preposition. Their meaning, as a rule, is radically different from the original meaning of the verb. Moreover, it is almost impossible to guess this meaning without studying the topic. Break down is a phrasal verb that can serve as such an example. Let's look at this phrasal verb in more detail, looking at its translation and cases of use.

Verb break: original meaning

But first, let's look at the verb break itself. It occurs quite often in the speech of native speakers on its own. The verb break is irregular and has 3 special forms:

Break down phrasal verb: usage options

If you add the word down to this verb, its meaning immediately changes. So, break down a phrasal verb can be used to mean:

“Break down” (usually about a vehicle/equipment):

"Break":

"Cry":

"Loose the temper":

“Give up” (about health):

“Take it apart piece by piece”:

“Sorting into Shelves”:

“Stop” (about a relationship or conversation in a negative context):

“Eliminate the difficulty that prevents you from achieving something”:

You have to spend some time to break down the language barrier.

You will have to spend some time breaking down the language barrier.

As you can see, such a phrasal verb as break down has a lot of meanings that initial stage can only be remembered with translation or context. It is necessary to know all possible interpretations of a phrasal verb to avoid misunderstandings.

Phrasal verb break: other meanings

Of course, everything is not limited to just the phrasal verb break down. There are a number of other phrasal verbs that are also used in speech. Let's look at the most common of them.

Break out - run away:

Also used as "to break out" when talking about war:

And in the meaning of “break out” about a fire or epidemic:

Break up - usually in the meaning of “break up” (about a team and marriages) and “to separate” (about couples in love):

Also meaning “to stop” (about meetings):

Break into – “break into”, “penetrate”, “break in”:

Break through - “break through”, “break through”:

Also “to make a breakthrough”, “to achieve success”:

Break off - “suddenly stop a conversation”, “break off a relationship”, “terminate an engagement”:

Break away - “to run away from someone” (usually about criminals), “to separate”:

Also meaning “to break a habit”:

Break in - “interrupt”:

The verb break really has many meanings that you need to know and be able to use. Try to study at least one phrasal verb a day by doing exercises and creating your own examples. And, of course, each exercise should be supported by practice, so don’t be afraid to communicate with native speakers and ask them questions.