break off

phrasal-verb
UK: /ˌbreɪk ˈɒf/
US: /ˌbreɪk ˈɔːf/

  1. To stop doing something for a while.

    1. Let's break off for lunch and continue later. [ ] [ ]
    2. The negotiators decided to break off talks until a new proposal could be prepared. [ ] [ ]

  2. To end a relationship or connection.

    1. She decided to break off her engagement to him. [ ] [ ]
    2. After months of disagreements, the company decided to break off its partnership. [ ] [ ]

  3. To become separated from something as a result of force.

    1. The branch started to break off because of the strong winds. [ ] [ ]
    2. A piece of the glacier began to break off and float away into the ocean. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

halt sever interrupt discontinue suspend end detach
break off noun

  1. A pause or interruption in an activity.

    1. We need a break off from all this work for a moment. [ ] [ ]
    2. The committee requested a break off during the lengthy negotiation process. [ ] [ ]
break off transitive-verb

  1. To detach a piece of something from a larger object.

    1. Break off a piece of chocolate for your sister. [ ] [ ]
    2. He tried to break off a small fragment from the ancient artifact, but was caught. [ ] [ ]
break off intransitive-verb

  1. To stop speaking suddenly.

    1. She started to cry and break off in the middle of speech. [ ] [ ]
    2. He started to explain, then seemed to break off, lost in thought about the problem. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "break off" in English means: To stop doing something for a while., To end a relationship or connection., To become separated from something as a result of force..

The phonetic transcription of "break off" is /ˌbreɪk ˈɒf/ in British English and /ˌbreɪk ˈɔːf/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "break off": halt, sever, interrupt, discontinue, suspend, end, detach.

Example usage of "break off": "Let's break off for lunch and continue later.". More examples on the page.