Meaning trap
break off
become detached
To separate or come away from something by breaking.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To separate or come away from something by breaking.
Another meaning of 'break off' is 'end a relationship or talks'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Be careful with that chair—one of the legs might break off if you lean back too far.
During the experiment, a small part of the glass tube broke off, so we had to start over.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The branch broke off of the tree in the storm.
Say: The branch broke off the tree in the storm. / A branch broke off in the storm.
Drop the extra 'of' — it's 'break off (the tree)', not 'break off of'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Break off' is the everyday verb for a piece coming away; 'became detached' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
break off (a piece)
- a piece
- a bit
- cleanly
- in the wind
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- break off (end a relationship or talks) — Another meaning of 'break off' is 'end a relationship or talks'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.