Study Phrasal Verbs with Break by level using the links below. You can also find a comprehensive list and the exercises at the bottom of the page.
Phrasal Verbs with Break – A1-A2 Elementary
| Phrasal Verb | Split | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| break down | Never | stop functioning | My car broke down. |
| break up | Possible | end a relationship *** divide into smaller parts | They broke up last year. *** We need to break up this old table. |
| break out | Never | begin suddenly (fire, war, disease) | A fire broke out in the kitchen. |
| break into | Never | enter by force | Someone broke into the office. |
| break in | Never | enter illegally *** interrupt | Thieves broke in last night. *** He broke in during the meeting. |
| break out of | Never | escape from a place | The prisoners broke out of jail. |
| break off | Possible | separate a piece of something | He broke off a piece of bread. |
| break in (shoes) | Possible | make something comfortable through use | I need to break in these new shoes. |
Exercise – Elementary
Phrasal Verbs with Break – B1-B2 Intermediate
| Phrasal Verb | Split | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| break away / break away from | Never | escape from control; end a connection/association | He broke away from the police.She wants to break away from her old routine. |
| break down | Never | lose control emotionally | She broke down in tears. |
| break off | Possible | end a relationship/engagement | They broke off the engagement. |
| break in (object/person) | Possible | gradually train or prepare someone/something | The coach is trying to break in the new players. |
| break through | Never | overcome an obstacle | Scientists broke through a major barrier. |
| break up | Possible | disperse a group/fight; become unclear/inaudible | The police broke up the fight.The call is breaking up. |
| break with | Never | end association or tradition | He broke with his political party. |
| break out in | Never | suddenly develop (rash, sweat, spots) | She broke out in a rash. |
Exercise – Intermediate
List of Phrasal Verbs with Break
Here’s a comprehensive list of phrasal verbs with break, their meaning, if they can be split by an object, and an example.
| Phrasal Verb | Split | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| break away (from) | Never | escape from control *** end a relationship / connection | He broke away from the police and ran. *** Take a chance and break away. |
| break down | Never | stop functioning *** lose control emotionally | My car broke down. *** She broke down in tears. |
| break in | Never | enter by force (illegally) *** interrupt | Thieves broke in last night. *** He broke in the meeting and told us to leave the room. |
| break in (shoes, etc.) | Possible | gradually use something until it’s comfortable | I need to break in these new shoes. |
| break into (a place) | Never | enter by force | Someone broke into the office. |
| break off | Possible | end a relationship *** separate a piece of something | They broke off the engagement. *** He broke a piece of bread off. |
| break out | Never | begin suddenly (war, fire, disease) | A fire broke out in the kitchen. |
| break out of | Never | escape from a place | The prisoners broke out of jail. |
| break through | Never | overcome an obstacle | Scientists broke through a major barrier in cancer research. |
| break up | No | end a relationship / disperse (group, fight) | They broke up after five years. / The police broke up the fight. |
| break up (something) | Possible | divide or destroy into smaller parts *** become inaudible due to interference | We need to break up this old table before moving it. *** Connection is breaking up, I’ll call you back in a minute. |
| break up | Never | end a relationship | They broke up. |
| break with | Never | end association or tradition | He broke with his political party. |
In the split column you’ll find information about separating them, if it show “always” it means we always split the phrasal verb to add an object. “Possible” means that you can separate it or not. Finally, “never” means we should never separate that phrasal verb.
Break up or break off?
Break up and break off can both describe the end of a relationship, but they are used in different ways.
Break up is usually used for romantic relationships. It means that two people decide to end their relationship. It is often mutual, and the focus is on the relationship ending naturally. For example: “They broke up after five years.” We can also use break up for stopping a fight or a group: “The police broke up the crowd.”
Break off is more formal and is often used for engagements, agreements, or talks between people or groups. It sounds more intentional or sudden. For example: “They broke off the engagement.” You can also break off a piece of something physical, like bread or chocolate.
So, break up is more general and common, while break off is more specific, formal, and sometimes more serious.
If you’re in groups and want to split into smaller groups, both phrasal verbs can be used.
Break in or break into?
Break in and break into both describe entering a place illegally, usually by force. However, the grammar is different.
Break in is used without an object. You don’t say break in the house. Instead, you just say:
“Thieves broke in last night.”
The focus is on the action, not the place.
Break into is used with a direct object — you say what place was entered. For example:
“Someone broke into the office.”
We always say break into + place (house, shop, car, building).
Both expressions are very common in crime reports or news stories.
Remember:
- break in → no object
- break into + place → needs an object
Exercises
More Exercises: LearnToday | EslLounge | EnglishFeelGood | LDoce | EcEnglish | OurLanguages | UsingEnglish |
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