break off
Britishverb
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to sever or detach or be severed or detached
it broke off in my hands
he broke a piece off the bar of chocolate
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(adverb) to end (a relationship, association, etc) or (of a relationship, etc) to be ended
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(intr, adverb) to stop abruptly; halt
he broke off in the middle of his speech
noun
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Stop abruptly, as in The trade talks broke off yesterday . [First half of 1300s]
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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]
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End a relationship or friendship, as in Mary broke off her engagement to Rob . [Mid-1600s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Peter Gianopolis, the manager of a Montreal supermarket, said Wednesday he could "already see a difference" in consumer behavior since the Canadian government's decision to break off trade negotiations with Washington.
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
"We are forming some intermediate products, such as sulfur dioxide. This intermediate product is much easier to break off."
From Science Daily ● Jun. 17, 2026
Surfboard shaper Timmy Patterson told the Orange County Register he survived a near-death experience after being caught inside a set of up to 20-foot waves at a remote break off Dana Point.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 13, 2026
We break off our interview when we hear cries coming from one of the recovery wards, and Dr Saung must attend.
From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026
If for some reason the dog is there waiting for you, break off and jump on that old car that's been sitting in front of Sadani's house.
From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
