break-in

American  

[breyk-in] / ˈbreɪkˌɪn /

noun

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

2. break-in period.

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break in British  

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

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noun

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      the break-in plans

break in Idioms  

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

2. 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]

3. 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]

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

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Etymology

Origin of break-in

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

Example Sentences

A source close to Combs told The Times that this was the second recent break-in attempt at the property.

From Los Angeles Times

Vivien Leigh’s Oscar for “A Streetcar Named Desire” was stolen during a break-in in the 1950s.

From Los Angeles Times

It centred around the cover-up of a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972.

From BBC

On Monday, a police officer told the Nottingham Inquiry she stood by her decision not to pursue a prosecution over the break-in, due to Calocane's mental health.

From BBC

Its findings are due out in May, but a preliminary report released last week spoke of "systemic failures" which enabled the break-in.

From BBC

Related Words

• burglary
• robbery