heytardy
Log inGet started

break off — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings
break off
end a relationship or talksbecome detached

Meaning 1 · most common

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 “end a relationship or talks”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 meaning: become detached

Meaning 2

become detached

  • break off sth

To separate or come away from something by breaking.

How oftenCommon
LevelB1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Be careful with that chair—one of the legs might break off if you lean back too far.

A: What happened to your headphones?
B: One of the ear pieces broke off when I dropped them.

Common mistake

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'.

More on “become detached”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

During the experiment, a small part of the glass tube broke off, so we had to start over.

Tell it apart

A chunk of chocolate broke off.

  • a piece came away

They broke off the engagement.

  • ended it — different sense

Goes with

  • break off (a piece)
Practice saying this
Test yourself: which one is it?
Spot the meaning

Which one is it?

Read the sentence, then pick the meaning that's in play.

Turn this into speaking practice

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

end a relationship or talksbecome detached