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

Break out three giant claps, a dazzling smile and a deafening scream.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 27, 2024

Break out your boots, grab your gloves and dust off your sleds: It’s snowing in Seattle.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 11, 2024

Break out of your social bubble and listen to and talk with others.

From Scientific American • Jan. 7, 2022

Break out your fanciest sprinkles to give them extra pizazz.

From Salon • Dec. 20, 2021

“Was this on your to-do list? Break out with Will?”

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott

Related Words

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