break-in

[breyk-in]

noun

1. an illegal entry into a home, car, office, etc.

2. break-in period.

break in

verb

1. (sometimes foll by on) to interrupt

2. (intr) to enter a house, etc, illegally, esp by force

3. (tr) to accustom (a person or animal) to normal duties or practice

4. (tr) to use or wear (shoes, new equipment, etc) until comfortable or running smoothly

5. (tr) to bring (new land) under cultivation

noun

1. 1. the illegal entering of a building, esp by thieves

   2. ( as modifier )

      the break-in plans

Word History and Origins

Origin of break in¹

First recorded in 1855–60; noun use of verb phrase break in

Idioms and Phrases

Enter by force, as in The thieves broke in through the back door . [Mid-1500s] Also see break into .

Also, break in on . Interrupt or disturb something unexpectedly, as in His assistant broke in with the bad news just as we were ready to sign the agreement , or He broke in on our private talks . [Mid-1600s]

Train or instruct someone in a new job or enterprise, as in Every semester she had to break in a new teaching assistant . [Late 1700s]

Loosen or soften with use, as in It takes a while to break in a pair of new shoes .

Related Words

• burglary 
• robbery