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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”)

Words nearby breakoff

break into, break it up, break loose, breakneck, break of day, breakoff, break one, break one's ass, break one's back, break one's balls, break one's fall
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to breakoff

sever, cease, discontinue, halt, suspend, terminate, break, cessation, discontinuance, discontinuation, ending, hiatus, intermission, interruption, lull, pause, recess, stop, termination, detach

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
1

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

2

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]

3

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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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