break
b rayk
- n some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity
there was a break in the action when a player was hurt - n an unexpected piece of good luck
he finally got his big break - n (geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other
- n a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)
they hoped to avoid a break in relations - n a pause from doing something (as work)
we took a 10-minute break - n the act of breaking something
the breakage was unavoidable - n a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
- n breaking of hard tissue such as bone
the break seems to have been caused by a fall - n the occurrence of breaking
the break in the dam threatened the valley - n an abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion)
then there was a break in her voice - n the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool
- n (tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving
he was up two breaks in the second set - n an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
it was presented without commercial breaks - n a sudden dash
he made a break for the open door - n any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare
the break in the eighth frame cost him the match - n an escape from jail
the breakout was carefully planned - v terminate
break a lucky streak
break the cycle of poverty - v become separated into pieces or fragments
- v render inoperable or ineffective
- v ruin completely
- v destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments
- v act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
break a law
break a promise - v move away or escape suddenly
Nobody can break out--this prison is high security - v scatter or part
- v force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up
break into tears - v prevent completion
break off the negotiations - v enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act
- v make submissive, obedient, or useful
The horse was tough to break - v fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns
- v surpass in excellence
break a record - v make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
- v come into being
- v stop operating or functioning
- v interrupt a continued activity
- v make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing
- v curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves
- v lessen in force or effect
break a fall - v be broken in
If the new teacher won't break, we'll add some stress - v come to an end
- v vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity
- v cause to give up a habit
- v give up
break cigarette smoking - v come forth or begin from a state of latency
- v happen or take place
Things have been breaking pretty well for us in the past few months - v cause the failure or ruin of
This play will either make or break the playwright - v invalidate by judicial action
- v discontinue an association or relation; go different ways
- v assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
- v reduce to bankruptcy
My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me! - v change directions suddenly
- v emerge from the surface of a body of water
- v break down, literally or metaphorically
- v do a break dance
Kids were break-dancing at the street corner - v exchange for smaller units of money
I had to break a $100 bill just to buy the candy - v destroy the completeness of a set of related items
The book dealer would not break the set - v make the opening shot that scatters the balls
- v separate from a clinch, in boxing
- v go to pieces
- v break a piece from a whole
break a branch from a tree - v become punctured or penetrated
- v pierce or penetrate
- v be released or become known; of news
- v cease an action temporarily
let's break for lunch - v interrupt the flow of current in
break a circuit - v undergo breaking
- v find a flaw in
break an alibi
break down a proof - v find the solution or key to
break the code - v change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another
- v happen
- v become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
- v crack; of the male voice in puberty
his voice is breaking--he should no longer sing in the choir - v fall sharply
- v fracture a bone of
- v diminish or discontinue abruptly
- v weaken or destroy in spirit or body
- The break-in at the office of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist, he says, was DPI not to discredit Ellsberg personally but to find out whether Ellsberg "might he a controlled agent .
- In order to break the world record, Blaine had to hold his breath without fainting.
- You get a tax break if you get your insurance through your job.