breakoff

or break-off

[ breyk-awf, ‐of ]

noun
  1. a discontinuation, especially abrupt, as of relations.

  2. the action of breaking off.

Origin of breakoff

1
First recorded in 1860–65; noun use of verb break off (in the sense “to stop sudddenly”)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use breakoff in a sentence

  • What a break-off, leaving the gasping reader in a state of choking suspense, of avid, ungratified curiosity!

    Ptomaine Street | Carolyn Wells
  • The whole of his break-off with Lady Helena is very well done.

  • Moreover, the break-off of diplomatic relations initiated the certain hope of a happier future.

    Mrs. Warren's Daughter | Sir Harry Johnston
  • The miners work the seam till they come to this break-off, and then call for an expert to "read the fault."

    From Sea to Sea | Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for break off

break off

verb
  1. to sever or detach or be severed or detached: it broke off in my hands; he broke a piece off the bar of chocolate

  2. (adverb) to end (a relationship, association, etc) or (of a relationship, etc) to be ended

  1. (intr, adverb) to stop abruptly; halt: he broke off in the middle of his speech

nounbreakoff
  1. the act or an instance of breaking off or stopping

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with breakoff

breakoff

Stop abruptly, as in The trade talks broke off yesterday. [First half of 1300s]

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.