Same verb · different particle

“break” phrasal verbs

Same verb, different particle, different meaning. Learn these 6 one at a time, then test yourself.

6 phrasal verbslisten & quiz

break

down

in into off out

break + down · 1 of 6

break down

stop working

A man stands beside his car on a country road; the bonnet is open and steam rises from the engine.

If a machine or vehicle breaks down, it stops working and cannot be used until it is fixed.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

My car broke down on the way to work this morning.

A: Why are you late?
B: Sorry, the bus broke down and I had to walk.

Common mistake

Not: My laptop ~~broke down,~~ so I can't open the file.

Say: My laptop crashed / stopped working, so I can't open the file.

'Break down' suits vehicles and big machines; for computers/phones natives usually say 'crash' or 'stop working'.

More on “break down”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During my trip, our train broke down for two hours, which made us miss our connection.

Tell it apart

The car broke down again.

stopped working

Let's break down the cost.

separate it into parts / analyse

Goes with

break down + machine

Practice saying this

Next: break in

break + in · 2 of 6

break in

enter illegally

break in to sth

A scene showing “break in” meaning “enter a building by force”.

to enter a building or place by force, usually to steal something or without permission.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Someone tried to break in while we were on holiday, but the alarm scared them away.

A: Why are the police outside your house?
B: Someone broke in last night, but luckily nothing was taken.

Common mistake

Not: Thieves broke in the house last night.

Say: Thieves broke into the house last night. / Thieves broke in last night.

With a place named, use 'break INTO the house'; bare 'break in' (no object) is also fine.

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Another example

If I ever saw someone trying to break in to a neighbor’s house, I would call the police immediately.

Tell it apart

Burglars broke in through the back.

entered by force

The prisoners broke out of the cell.

escaped by force

Goes with

break in / break into

Practice saying this

Next: break into

break + into · 3 of 6

break into

enter illegally

break into sth

to enter a building, car, or other place by force, usually to steal something

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Someone tried to break into my car last night, but the alarm scared them away.

A: Did you hear about the break-in at the bakery?
B: Yeah, someone broke into the shop and took all the cash.

Common mistake

Not: They broke into to the warehouse.

Say: They broke into the warehouse.

'Break into' already includes the direction — no extra 'to'.

More on “break into”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I saw someone trying to break into a house, I would immediately call the police because it’s a serious crime.

Tell it apart

Someone broke into the car.

forced their way in to steal

She broke into a run.

suddenly started running — different sense

Goes with

break into + place

Practice saying this

Next: break off

break + off · 4 of 6

break off

end a relationship or talks

break off sth

To suddenly stop a relationship, discussion, or agreement.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

They decided to break off their engagement after realizing they wanted different things.

A: How are the business talks going?
B: Not well. We had to break them off because we couldn't agree on the terms.

Common mistake

Not: They broke off ~~with~~ the talks.

Say: They broke off the talks. / They broke off negotiations.

'Break off' takes the object directly — no 'with'. ('Break up with' is for couples.)

More on “break off”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, it's sometimes better to break off negotiations if both sides can't find common ground.

Tell it apart

They broke off the engagement.

ended it — formal

They broke up last month.

a couple split — everyday

Goes with

break off + relations/talks

Practice saying this

Next: break out

break + out · 5 of 6

break out

start suddenly

To begin quickly and unexpectedly, especially something bad like a fire, war, or disease.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

A fire broke out in the kitchen while we were having dinner.

A: Did you hear about the protest downtown?
B: Yeah, apparently a fight broke out and the police had to step in.

Common mistake

Not: A fire broke out of the kitchen.

Say: A fire broke out in the kitchen.

'Break out' = suddenly start (use 'in'); 'break out OF' means escape.

More on “break out”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If a disease breaks out in a city, the government needs to act quickly to control it.

Tell it apart

Fighting broke out in the streets.

suddenly started

The prisoners broke out of jail.

escaped

Goes with

break out (fire/war/disease)

Practice saying this

Next: break up

break + up · 6 of 6

break up

end a romantic relationship

break up with sb

When two people break up, they end their romantic relationship.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

After dating for two years, they decided to break up.

A: Did you hear about Mia and Tom?
B: Yeah, they broke up last week.

Common mistake

Not: She broke up her boyfriend last week.

Say: She broke up with her boyfriend last week.

You 'break up WITH' someone — don't drop 'with'.

More on “break up”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, it's better to break up than to stay in an unhappy relationship.

Tell it apart

They broke up after two years.

ended the relationship

They made up after the row.

got back on good terms

Goes with

break up with

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which “break” fits?

Fill the gap

Which “break” fits?

Read the sentence, then pick the phrasal verb that belongs in the gap.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick one and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

break down break in break into break off break out break up