Phrasal Verbs With Break And How to Use Them In Real Life
Some English words are little language goldmines — and break is definitely one of them. It's short, simple, and everywhere. But add a preposition or adverb, and suddenly it’s doing all sorts of interesting things.
In this post, I’m sharing 12 common phrasal verbs with 'break' that you’ll hear all the time in everyday conversations. I’ve included clear meanings and real-life examples to help you feel more confident using them yourself.
1. Break down
Meaning:
To stop working (especially machines or vehicles)
To become emotionally overwhelmed or upset
Examples:
My washing machine broke down again. I think it’s time to get a new one.
She broke down in tears when she heard the news.
This one comes up a lot — whether we’re talking about a dodgy old car or someone finally letting out bottled-up emotions.
2. Break up
Meaning:
To end a romantic relationship
To cause people to leave or disperse
Examples:
They broke up after five years together. It was mutual, thankfully.
The police broke up the party at midnight.
We often use this casually when talking about relationships: “Have they broken up?” or “They’re breaking up — it’s all a bit messy.”
3. Break into
Meaning:
To enter somewhere (usually a building) by force
To suddenly begin doing something (like laughter, song, etc.)
Examples:
Someone tried to break into our garage last night.
He broke into song halfway through dinner — no warning, just started singing.
A useful one for both crime dramas and spontaneous karaoke moments.
4. Break out
Meaning:
To escape
To begin suddenly (often something negative, like fire or violence)
Examples:
A fire broke out in the kitchen — luckily no one was hurt.
Several prisoners broke out of jail during the storm.
You might also hear this in skincare talk: “I’ve broken out in spots after eating loads of chocolate.”
5. Break in
Meaning:
To enter a building illegally
To interrupt someone or something
(Bonus) To gradually make something comfortable, like new shoes
Examples:
The alarm went off when someone tried to break in.
Sorry to break in, but could I ask a quick question?
These shoes are painful now, but I just need to break them in.
A great example of how context really matters. It’s one of those phrasal verbs that shows your flexibility as a speaker.
6. Break through
Meaning:
To make progress after difficulty or obstacles
Examples:
Scientists have broken through in the search for a new treatment.
The sun finally broke through the clouds this afternoon.
This one has a lovely feeling of hope — like finally getting somewhere after a long wait or struggle.
7. Break away
Meaning:
To separate from a group or control
To become independent
Examples:
He broke away from tradition and started his own business.
The smaller region wants to break away and form a new country.
It can be literal or metaphorical — often used when talking about change, growth or independence.
8. Break off
Meaning:
To end a relationship or agreement suddenly
Examples:
She broke off the engagement just before the wedding.
Talks between the two leaders have broken off.
It feels quite serious or dramatic — a strong expression, often used in emotional or political situations.
Time to try them out
Understanding phrasal verbs is one thing. Using them naturally is another. But with regular practice, they’ll soon start to feel more familiar.
Why not try writing a few example sentences of your own? Or listen out for these next time you watch a TV show in English — they pop up more often than you might think.
And if you'd like to practise them in a conversation session, you know where to find me.