Break is one of the most common verbs in the English language. Here are some common collocations using the word break!
#1 – break a habit
= stop doing the habit
#2 – break a bone / break your arm
= fracture a bone; injure yourself
#3 – Break a leg!
= this is an idiomatic expression that means “Good luck!” – it is often used to wish someone good luck when they are going to perform.
#4 – break a promise
= not do what you promised (the opposite is “keep a promise”)
#5 – break a record
= perform better than the previous record
#6 – break a window
= make a crack or hole in the window
#7 – break the ice
= initiate social interaction, especially in a situation where people are being shy and hesitant
#8 – break someone’s heart
= cause emotional pain or grief to a person who loves you
#9 – break the rules
= do something that is prohibited by a rule
#10 – break the law
= do something that is illegal; it is prohibited by law
#11 – break the news to someone
= tell someone some new information (often bad news)
#12 – break even
= earn as much money as you spent, so the earning and spending cancel each other out and the result is $0
#13 – break the silence
= make a noise, interrupting a period of silence
#14 – break loose
= escape from a restraint or confinement
#15 – break wind
= this is an informal way to say “release intestinal gas”
#16 – break ground
= begin digging into the ground for a new construction project. A small ceremony is often done to commemorate this.
#17 – break new ground
= make progress into a new area; advance beyond previous achievements in an area
#18 – break a code
= figure out a secret code, so that you can understand the message
#19 – break one’s fall
= lessen the impact of a falling person hitting the ground
#20 – break the mold
= do something differently after it has been done the same way for a long time
