Phrasal verbs
break …
The full list of 20 words in this set. Open any word for its pronunciation, collocations, a band 8 sentence and the mistakes Vietnamese learners make.
Learn this set with flashcards20 words
- 1
break free (from)phrasal verb/breɪk ˈfriː frəm/
to escape from something that limits you so you can be independent or free
“She finally broke free from her family's expectations and studied art.”
- 2
break downphrasal verb/breɪk daʊn/
1) (of machines) to stop working; 2) to lose control emotionally; 3) to analyse something into smaller parts
“The car broke down on the motorway.”
- 3
break inphrasal verb/ˈbreɪk ɪn/
to interrupt someone speaking; to make shoes or clothing comfortable by wearing them; (less often) to force entry.
“He kept breaking in while I was answering the question.”
- 4
break the chain (of)phrasal verb / collocation/breɪk ðə tʃeɪn əv/
to stop a sequence (for example of events, infections or habits) so that a process does not continue
“Vaccination and hygiene help break the chain of infection.”
- 5
break throughphrasal verb/breɪk θruː/
to make a significant discovery or achievement, especially after overcoming obstacles
“Scientists hope to break through in cancer research within the next decade.”
- 6
break a habitphrasal verb / collocation/breɪk ə ˈhæbɪt/
to stop doing something that you have done regularly
“I decided to break the habit of checking my phone during meals.”
- 7
break upphrasal verb/breɪk ʌp/
1) to end a relationship; 2) to separate into pieces or smaller groups; 3) to disperse or end (a meeting)
“They decided to break up after five years together.”
- 8
break outphrasal verb/breɪk aʊt/
1) (of war/disease/fire) to start suddenly; 2) to escape from a place; 3) to appear on the skin (spots)
“A fire broke out in the warehouse last night.”
- 9
break the lawphrasal verb / collocation/breɪk ðə lɔː/
to act in a way that is against the law
“If you drive without a licence, you are breaking the law.”
- 10
break the mouldphrasal verb / idiom/breɪk ðə məʊld/
do something in a completely new way; change an established pattern
“Many tech companies try to break the mould by offering flexible working.”
- 11
break evenphrasal verb/phrase/ˈbreɪk ˈiːvən/
to neither make a profit nor incur a loss; to reach a financial point of balance.
“After costs, the small café only just broke even last month.”
- 12
break intophrasal verb/breɪk ˈɪntuː/
1) to enter a place illegally, often by force; 2) to suddenly begin doing something (e.g. laugh or sing)
“Thieves broke into the warehouse and stole equipment.”
- 13
break new groundphrasal verb / idiom/breɪk njuː ˈɡraʊnd/
to do something innovative or introduce new ideas or methods
“The scientist's study broke new ground in cancer research.”
- 14
break the cyclephrasal verb / collocation/breɪk ðə ˈsaɪkəl/
to stop a repeated sequence of events or behaviours, especially negative patterns passed down or repeated
“Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.”
- 15
break a sweatphrasal verb/breɪk ə swet/
to produce sweat; often used (especially with negatives) to mean 'to make little or no effort'.
“He fixed the printer without breaking a sweat.”
- 16
break awayphrasal verb/breɪk əˈweɪ/
1) to separate from a group or organisation; 2) to escape or free oneself from control or habit
“A faction broke away from the party to form a new movement.”
- 17
break offphrasal verb/ˈbreɪk ˌɒf/
to end or stop something suddenly (talks, negotiations, a relationship), or to detach a part physically.
“They broke off negotiations when they couldn't reach an agreement.”
- 18
break openphrasal verb/breɪk ˈəʊpən/
to force something that is closed to open, or to cause a case or situation to be revealed
“They had to break open the locked trunk to get the emergency kit.”
- 19
break the icephrasal verb / idiom/breɪk ðə aɪs/
do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation started between people
“She told a funny story to break the ice at the meeting.”
- 20
break a recordphrasal verb/breɪk ə ˈrɛkɔːd/
to do something faster or better than anyone has before, so the best previous result is exceeded
“She trained hard and finally broke a national record.”