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

3. (intr, adverb) to stop abruptly; halt

   he broke off in the middle of his speech

noun

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

Idioms and Phrases

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

Separate, sever a connection, as in The baby broke off the tops of all the flowers , or The new sect has broken off from the established church . [First half of 1500s]

End a relationship or friendship, as in Mary broke off her engagement to Rob . [Mid-1600s]

Related Words

• cease 
• discontinue 
• halt 
• suspend 
• terminate