break into
Britishverb
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to enter (a house, etc) illegally, esp by force
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to change abruptly from a slower to a faster speed
the horse broke into a gallop
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to consume (supplies held in reserve)
at the end of the exercise the soldiers had to break into their iron rations
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Make a forcible entry into, as in The alarm went off as soon as they tried to break into the house . [1300s] Also see break in , def. 1.
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Interrupt, as in I couldn't help but break into your conversation . [Mid-1600s]
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Suddenly begin some activity, as in Without warning she broke into tears . Also see under burst into .
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Enter or be admitted to an occupation or profession, as in Without connections it is virtually impossible to break into acting . [Late 1800s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Beverly Habada, president of the condo association board, said in March that denizens of the encampment regularly break into the common laundry room she uses: “There’s probably somebody in there right now.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026
At the end of the book club, the women break into convivial chatter.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026
A man arrested trying to break into the Israeli embassy in London, armed with two knives, put his "life on the line" trying to get to the UK, a jury has heard.
From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026
Among Chinese automakers, Geely may be the most well positioned to break into the U.S. market.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026
It was warm, even with the air-conditioning roaring, but I felt like I might break into a fit of shakes.
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
