break camp

Idioms and Phrases

Take down a tent and pack up other gear; also, leave a place, move out. For example, The landlord has to return my rent deposit before I'll break camp . Originally camp denoted a military encampment, but by the mid-1500s the term had been transferred to temporary outdoor sites used by hunters and the like. By the 19th century, the current term was in use. Thus, “It is the hunter's rule to see that the fire is extinguished ... before breaking camp.” (F.H. Guillemard, Cruise of Marchesa I , 1886).

Example Sentences

Still, by the evening, it was clear enough to break camp and we made a spurt of thirteen miles.

From Project Gutenberg

But the warning thunder had been enough for the young troop leader, and prompted him to break camp and get out of the gorge.

From Project Gutenberg

They kept fires burning all night to scare him out uh the coulee, and they're going to break camp to-day and hike for home.

From Project Gutenberg

"I think we had better break camp and try to make our way out of this while we may," replied Tad.

From Project Gutenberg

In this spirit of humor it was therefore decided that on the following morning they would break camp and return to the ranch.

From Project Gutenberg