breakoff

or break-off

[ breyk-awf, ‐of ]

/ ˈbreɪkˌɔf, ‐ˌɒf /

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noun

a discontinuation, especially abrupt, as of relations.

the action of breaking off.

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Origin of breakoff

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. 2022

How to use breakoff in a sentence

Although the blood-spattered offices will be off-limits, staff have vowed to continue producing the magazine.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A passing off-duty school safety officer named Fred Lucas said that he had been told the man was a drug dealer.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This is the Mexico that U.S. college students would be wise to steer clear of on spring break.
Why Mexicans Are Enraged by Obama’s Big Tuesday Meeting|Ruben Navarrette Jr.|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The NOPD fired Knight in 1973 for stealing lumber from a construction site as an off-duty cop.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST

I was already over forty, had hardly a nickel in my pocket and this was the biggest break in my life.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Were you ever arrested, having in your custody another man's cash, and would rather go to gaol, than break it?
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
A far-off volley rumbled over the plain, and a few birds stirred uneasily among the trees.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
If old Piegan Smith hadn't been sampling the contents of that keg so industriously he would never have made a break.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
General Houston had attacked them with three hundred of our people, but had not been able to break their ranks.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
For good or ill, the torrent of rebellion was suffered to break loose, and it soon engulfed a continent.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy

British Dictionary definitions for breakoff

break off

verb

to sever or detach or be severed or detachedit broke off in my hands; he broke a piece off the bar of chocolate

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

(intr, adverb) to stop abruptly; halthe broke off in the middle of his speech

noun breakoff

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

break off

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]