break out

British  

verb

1. (intr, adverb) to begin or arise suddenly

   panic broke out

2. (intr, adverb) to make an escape, esp from prison or confinement

3. (of the skin) to erupt (in a rash, pimples, etc)

4. (tr, adverb) to launch or introduce (a new product)

5. (tr, adverb) to open and start using

   break out the champagne

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noun

1. an escape, esp from prison or confinement

2. 1. a great success, esp following relatively disappointing performance

   2. ( as modifier )

      a breakout year

break out Idioms  

1. Develop suddenly and forcefully. For example, A fire broke out last night , or He broke out in a sweat . [ a.d. 1000]

2. Be affected with a skin eruption, such as a rash or boils, as in A teenager's face often breaks out in pimples . [c. 1300]

3. Prepare something for consumption, action, or use, as in Let's break out the champagne , or It's such a fine day—let's break out the fishing rods . [Early 1800s]

4. break out of . Force out by breaking; also, escape from confinement. For example, The hurricane broke the glass out of all the windows , or He broke out of prison but was soon apprehended . [Early 1600s]

5. Isolate a portion of a body of data, as in Please break out the sales figures from the quarterly report . [Mid-1900s]

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Example Sentences

Above us, Dad fought to keep the horses from breaking out and bolting.

From Literature

After the war broke out, he became even more powerful.

From Barron's

Although that meant breaking out flip-flops and scheduling picnics earlier than normal, it has also dashed hopes of a superbloom in Southern California.

From Los Angeles Times

A battle of insults and threats has broken out between the tech world and Wall Street.

From The Wall Street Journal

Daud's brother had been at the centre for more than a month but believed he was in a building where fire did not break out.

From Barron's

Related Words

• appear
• arise
• begin
• commence
• erupt
• explode
• occur
• set in
• start