break 158
died. 6 [I;T(= break sthg. ⇆ down)] to (cause to) separate into different kinds or divide into types: *Chemicals in the body break food down into useful substances.* | *The figures must be broken down into several categories.* ➜ see also BREAKDOWN
**break even** phr v [I] to make neither a loss nor a profit in doing business ➜ see also BREAKEVEN
**break in** phr v 1 [I] to enter a building by force: *They broke in through an upstairs window and stole some jewellery. ➜ see also BREAK-IN 2 [(on, upon)] to interrupt: She broke in with some suggestions of her own. | The sudden banging at the door broke in on the silence/on my thoughts. 3 [T[break sthg./sbdy. ⇆ in]] to make (a person or animal) used to something new: Young horses have to be broken in. (=taught to obey) | A week in the new office should be enough to break you in. 4 [T[break sthg. ⇆ in]] to wear (new shoes or boots) to make them lose their stiffness and become comfortable*
**break into sthg.** phr v [T] 1 to enter by force: *to break into a house and commit a burglary 2 to begin suddenly: to break into song/laughter/cheers | The horse broke into a gallop. 3 to use part of, unwillingly: We'll have to break into our savings.*
**break sbdy. of sthg.** phr v [T] to cure of (a bad habit): *Doctors are trying to break him of his dependence on the drug.*
**break off** phr v [I;T(= break sthg. ⇆ off)] 1 to (cause to) end, especially suddenly: *The two countries have broken off diplomatic relations (with each other). | The talks broke off without any solution being reached. | We broke off (work) for a cup of coffee. 2 to (cause to) become separated from the main part by breaking or being broken: A branch broke off (the tree) in the wind. | I broke off a piece of chocolate and gave it to the little boy.*
**break out** phr v [I] 1 (of an undesirable condition) to begin suddenly and often violently: *War/Fighting/Panic/A fire broke out. 2 [(in)] to suddenly become covered (especially with spots on the skin): The allergy caused him to break out in spots/a rash. | I broke out in a cold sweat when I realized there was a burglar downstairs. 3 [(off)] to escape (from): to break out of prison ➜ see also BREAKOUT, OUTBREAK*
**break through** phr v 1 [I;T(= break through sthg.)] to force a way through: *At last sun broke through (the clouds). | to break through the enemy's defences 2 [I] to make a new advance or discovery, especially after dealing successfully with problems and difficulties: Scientists hope to break through soon in their search for a cure for this type of cancer. ➜ see also BREAKTHROUGH*
**break up** phr v 1 [I;T(= break sthg. ⇆ up)] to (cause to) become separated into smaller pieces: *The frost will break up the soil. | The ship broke up on the rocks. | We are putting some illustrations in the book in order to break up the text. 2 [I;T(= break sthg. ⇆ up)] to come or bring to an end, especially by separating: Their marriage broke up. | The police broke up the fight. | The conference broke up without reaching any agreement. 3 [I] to stop being together; separate or go in different directions: What will happen to the children if Jim and Mary break up? | The crowd broke up. 4 [I] BrE (of a school or pupil) to begin the holidays: When does your school break up? | We break up on Tuesday. 5 [T[break sbdy. ⇆ up]] AmE to amuse greatly: His account of the meeting really broke me up. ➜ see also BREAKUP*
**break with sbdy./sthg.** phr v [T] to end a friendship or connection with: *to break with one's former friends/with old ideas*
**break²** n 1 an act of breaking or a condition produced (as if) by breaking: *a break in the clouds | a break in an electrical circuit | The break with her husband was painful, but she thought it was for the best. | You'll have to make the break sometime if you want to get away from this town. 2 a pause for rest between activities: a coffee break | to take/have a weekend break | We've worked 24 hours without a break. (=continuously) 3 [(from, in, with)] a change from the usual pattern or custom: The Queen's decision to send her children to ordinary schools was a break from/with tradition. | a break in the weather 4 infml a chance (especially to make things better); piece of good luck: Give him a break and he'll succeed. | He's had a good year with several big/lucky breaks. 5 an escape, especially from prison 6 (in cricket) a change of direction of the ball on first hitting the ground 7 (in the game of BILLIARDS) the number of points made by one player during one turn at hitting the balls 8 (in
tennis) a case of winning a game from the opponent who began it: She needs a break of serve now. | two break points 9 break of day lit for DAYBREAK 10 make a break for it infml to try to escape by running away 11 give me a break! spoken said when you do not believe what someone has just said 'You look just like Lisa Bonet, when she was on 'The Cosby Show'.' 'Give me a break, Mandy, I wish I did look like her.' 'It took me almost an hour to finish.' 'Oh, give me a break, there's no way it took that long.' | also give someone a break: You should give that kid a break, he's doing his best.
**break·a·ble** /'breɪkəbəl/ adj made of a material that breaks easily, such as glass: *If you're sending anything breakable, be sure to pack it well.*
**break·a·bles** /'breɪkəbəlz/ n [P] things that are easy to break: *Put all the breakables into this box.*
**break-age** /'breɪkɪdʒ/ n [C;U] 1 (the causing of) a broken place, part, or object: *a breakage in the gas pipes 2 (the cost of) damage caused by breaking things: Any breakages will be paid for by the company that is transporting the goods.*
**break-a-way** /'breɪkəweɪ/ n 1 a person or thing that breaks away 2 an act or example of breaking away (for example from a group or custom) ➜ see also BREAK AWAY
—**breakaway** adj [A] *A breakaway faction within the movement has formed a new terrorist group. | breakaway republics seeking independence from the Soviet Union*
**break-dance** /'breɪkdɑːnsɪl-dæns/v [I] to perform a style of dancing to HIP-HOP or pop music, in which the dancers often spin round on their heads or shoulders or perform other difficult ACROBATIC moves —**breakdancing** n [U
—**breakdancer** n
**break-down** /'breɪkdaʊn/ n 1 a sudden failure in operation or effectiveness: *Our car had a breakdown on the road. | a breakdown of talks between the staff and the management | a complete breakdown of law and order 2 [(of)] a division by types or into smaller groups, especially for the purpose of explanation: I'd like a breakdown of these figures, please. ➜ see also BREAK DOWN, NERVOUS BREAKDOWN*
**'breakdown ,truck** also **'breakdown ,lorry** BrE | **towtruck** AmE — n a TRUCK fitted with apparatus for lifting and pulling along motor vehicles which have broken down
**break-er** /'breɪkər/ n 1 a large wave with a white top that rolls onto the shore 2 a user of a CB radio 3 -breaker a person or thing that breaks something: *law-breakers*
**break-even** /ˌbreɪk'i:vn/ n [U] a level of business activity at which a company makes neither a loss nor a profit: *After two difficult years, the company hopes to reach breakeven this year, and to be in profit next year. ➜ see also BREAK EVEN*
**break-fast** /'brekfəst/ n [C;U] 1 the first meal of the day: We usually have breakfast at 7 o'clock. | It happened at/during breakfast. | She likes eggs for breakfast. | a working breakfast (=at which business is talked about) ➜ see also COOKED BREAKFAST, ENGLISH BREAKFAST, WEDDING BREAKFAST
**CULTURAL NOTE** In Britain, people often eat CEREALS such as CORNFLAKES with milk for breakfast. Some people like to have TOAST with MARMALADE or JAM, and they drink a cup of coffee or tea, or a glass of orange juice. Some hotels, cafes, and B AND B's serve a 'full English breakfast', a cooked meal consisting of eggs, BACON, and SAUSAGES with GRILLED tomatoes or MUSHROOMS and sometimes BAKED BEANS. On cold days, some people like to have PORRIDGE for breakfast. Porridge used to be eaten mostly in Scotland, but it is now popular in all parts of the UK. In the US, most people eat cereals such as cornflakes with milk for breakfast and they drink a cup of coffee or a glass of orange juice. Toast, BAGELS, or TOASTED ENGLISH MUFFINS are also popular. In the winter, some people might have hot cereals such as OATMEAL (=porridge) or CREAM OF WHEAT. If someone wants a bigger breakfast, they might have eggs, bacon or sausages and sometimes HASH BROWNS. People in the US also eat eggs, bacon, and sausages with PANCAKES or WAFFLES that are covered with butter and MAPLE SYRUP and served on the same plate as the meat and eggs.
2 **have/eat someone for breakfast** to defeat someone easily in business, a fight, an argument etc: *The great player*