Phrasal Verbs and Idioms With "Break"
Simple English words can often have many different uses with very different meanings.
As a verb, the most basic meaning of "break" is "to damage or injure something." But that's only the beginning.
Today we’ll look at other ways "break" can be used, both in common phrasal verbs and in popular idioms. You may be surprised at just how useful it can be in your daily conversations.
“Break” Phrasal Verbs and Expressions
Break down
You can use “break” for almost anything, from a bone to a piece of glass. But we use “break down” when complex things, like cars or computers, stop working properly.
My car broke down halfway through my trip across the country.
My washing machine is starting to break down. It might be time to replace it.
We also say that communication between people or organizations “breaks down” when it's not friendly or smooth.
Communication between the two countries has been breaking down for years.
Even people can break down when their emotions (such as anxiety or sadness) become too much to handle in a healthy way. This usage usually comes in the noun form in the expression "to have a breakdown."
The stress from my previous job caused me to have a breakdown, so I quit.
Give someone a break
In this casual expression, “a break” is similar to “a rest.”
People use this when they're frustrated by a challenging situation or when they simply have trouble believing something.
I’ve worked overtime every day for the past two weeks. My boss won’t give me a break!
You expect me to believe that crazy story? Give me a break!
Break a sweat
When you “break a sweat,” you begin sweating.
This idiom refers to physical effort instead of sweat from heat. However, it's mostly used negatively, meaning that an activity doesn't require much effort, as in the following examples:
Carl carried those heavy boxes up to the third floor without breaking a sweat.
She ran a few laps around the track without breaking a sweat.
Break up
A romantic couple “breaks up” when they end their relationship.
I heard that Hannah and Milo broke up a few weeks ago.
When the signal between people talking by phone or video chat becomes unstable or unclear, we say the call is “breaking up.”
The train is about to enter a tunnel, so the call may break up for a little while.
Could you repeat that, please? You’re breaking up.
Related article: 10 Polite Ways to Ask People to Repeat Themselves
Break a leg
This expression comes from the world of theater; performers would tell their colleagues to “break a leg” as another way to say “Good luck!”
These days, everyone uses this expression — even people who aren’t actors!
Hey, break a leg at your show tonight!
Break something down
When you “break something down,” you explain it in detail.
I don't really understand this section. Can you break it down for me?
The first chapter is only a general summary. The following chapters break down the main points.
Break something in
You "break in" a new item when you begin using it and it starts functioning smoothly.
I’m looking forward to breaking in my new golf clubs this weekend.
These jeans took a while to break in, but they feel great now.
Break the bank
Most of the time, the only way to get money out of a "piggy" bank — a small container shaped like a pig or other animals — is to break it.
This is connected to the expression “break the bank,” which means "to spend a large amount of money."
I want to take my girlfriend to a nice restaurant, but I don’t want to break the bank. Do you have any recommendations?
Guests can spend a relaxing time at our luxurious resort without breaking the bank.
Related article: “Pay,” “Spend” and “Cost”: What's the Difference?
Break the law
When you "break the law," you're doing something illegal.
Even though it’s a small town, the local police severely punish those who break the law.
Jay has been driving for 30 years, but she’s never broken any traffic laws.
Break a promise
If someone promises to do something but doesn’t, we say they have “broken” their promise.
I told my daughter that I'd be there for her baseball game, and I don’t want to break my promise.
Friends don’t break promises to each other.
Break a record
During the Olympics and other big sporting events, athletes from around the world try to break records, or perform better or faster than other athletes have in the past.
The sprinter broke the world record by only two-tenths of a second.
Of course, records don’t only exist in the world of sports.
In 2024, “Tipsy (A Bar Song)” by the American country artist Shaboozey, almost broke the record for the longest amount of time a song stayed number one on the popular music chart.
Wrap-up
If you want a fresh way to approach your English study, try learning all of the different ways you can use simple words like “break.”
For more useful phrasal verbs, check out our ultimate guide here. And finally, practice what you've learned in a real English chat in a one-on-one lesson with an Engoo tutor!
