phrasal verb · neutral

break loose

/ˈbreɪk ˈluːs/BREAK·LOOSE

speakingtask2

to escape from being controlled or tied up; to get free; can also mean to erupt (e.g., violence breaking loose).

Examples

The horse broke loose from its tether and ran into the field.

Fighting broke loose after the controversial decision.

She managed to break loose from the crowd and call for help.

Band 8 sentence

During the protest a group of demonstrators broke loose from the main march and tried to reach the government building.

Collocations

  • break loose from
  • break loose and run

Word family

broke loose verb (past)breaking loose verb (gerund)

Common mistakes

use 'escape' always instead of 'break loose'break loose

say 'broke loose from' as 'broke from'broke loose from

Say it for a higher band

5escape6break free7+break loose

Synonyms

break free

Easily confused

break free

She finally managed to break free from the abusive relationship.

Related words

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In break …

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