Idioms for break

Origin of break

before 900; Middle English breken, Old English brecan; cognate with Dutch breken, German brechen, Gothic brikan; akin to Latin frangere; see fragile

synonym study for break

1. Break, crush, shatter, smash mean to reduce to parts, violently or by force. Break means to divide by means of a blow, a collision, a pull, or the like: to break a chair, a leg, a strap. To crush is to subject to (usually heavy or violent) pressure so as to press out of shape or reduce to shapelessness or to small particles: to crush a beetle. To shatter is to break in such a way as to cause the pieces to fly in many directions: to shatter a light globe. To smash is to break noisily and suddenly into many pieces: to smash a glass.

OTHER WORDS FROM break

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH break

brake break

British Dictionary definitions for break with (1 of 2)

break with

verb

(intr, preposition) to end a relationship or association with (someone or an organization or social group)

British Dictionary definitions for break with (2 of 2)

break
/ (breɪk) /

verb breaks, breaking, broke or broken

noun

interjection

boxing wrestling a command by a referee for two opponents to separate

Word Origin for break

Old English brecan; related to Old Frisian breka, Gothic brikan, Old High German brehhan, Latin frangere Sanskrit bhráj bursting forth

Idioms and Phrases with break with (1 of 2)

break with

1

Separate from, sever relations with. For example, On this issue the prime minister was forced to break with his cabinet. [Late 1500s] Also see break off, def. 2 and 3.

2

Depart from, reject, as in The couple broke with tradition and decided to write their own marriage vows. [Late 1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with break with (2 of 2)

break