break-in

You know, like Nixon tried to shunt responsibility for the break-in on to Liddy, Sturgis, et al.
It’s Time to Get More Women in the NFL Boardroom|Robert Silverman|September 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For Nixon, it was the Watergate break-in, designed to filch political plans of his 1972 foes.
How Iraq Became Obama’s War|Jeff Greenfield|July 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The McDaniel campaign has strongly denied any link to the break-in or to Kelly.
Influential Conservative Behind Housing Complaint Targeting GOP Senator|Ben Jacobs|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But within hours it was hacked and the break-in code was released.
Meet Graham Smith, SnapChat’s 16-Year-Old Nemesis|Nina Strochlic|January 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Nixon never needed help from the Watergate break-in to win the 1972 race, in which he only lost one state.
Before Bridgegate Punished an Enemy, Christie's Office Rewarded Friends|Sam Kleiner|January 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It only needed the break-in of the Patrol to complete the illusion of action-fiction—crime variety.
Plague Ship|Andre Norton
A young ox is generally more difficult to break-in than an old one: I do not know why.
The Art of Travel|Francis Galton
They also breed and break-in camels, which they sell in the Tiflis market.
The Human Race|Louis Figuier
That awk'ard—why, he can't finish off a glass rod without break-in' it, or burning himself!
Joyce's Investments|Fannie E. Newberry

British Dictionary definitions for break-in

break in

verb (adverb)

(sometimes foll by on) to interrupt

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

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

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

(tr) Australian and NZ to bring (new land) under cultivation

noun break-in

the illegal entering of a building, esp by thieves
(as modifier)the break-in plans

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 break-in

break in

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.

break-in

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British Dictionary definitions for break-in

Other Idioms and Phrases with break-in