Phrasal Verbs with Break

Phrasal verbs are one of the most difficult things to learn in English, because changing the preposition can completely change the meaning of the verb.

Here are 7 break phrasal verbs:

Break up - to finish/ end a relationship. "Justin and Sarah broke up after 5 years together."
Break out of - to escape from somewhere using force. "Ten prisoners broke out of jail last night."
Break out in - to develop a skin problem. "I broke out in a rash after touching those plants."
Break down - stop working "My car's broken down, so I caught the bus to work."
Break through - to pass a barrier. "The protesters broke through the police line."
Break into - to enter a building unlawfully. "Someone broke in and stole my TV!"
Break off - to break a piece from something. "He broke me off a bit of his sandwich."

Here's a test to check your understanding.

Do you know any more break phrasal verbs?

Lesson by Caroline Devane

• 1. She ___ with her boyfriend last week so I'm going to go and take her some ice cream.
  
  Broke out of
  Broke in
  Broke up
  
  
• 2. I've locked myself out! But I can't ___ my own house!
  
  Break into
  Break down
  Break up
  
  
• 3. I get so nervous when I talk in public that my skin ___ hives.
  
  Breaks down
  Breaks through
  Breaks out in
  
  
• 4. He was driving the car so fast that he ___ the barrier of the car park. He just wasn't paying attention.
  
  Broke out of
  Broke through
  Broke up
  
  
• 5. Please can you ___ a square of chocolate for me?
  
  Break out
  Break into
  Break off
  
  
• 6. They ___ prison by digging a tunnel out of the cell.
  
  Broke up
  Broke into
  Broke out of