break out — 2 meanings

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

phrasal verb2 meanings

break out

1start suddenly 2escape

Meaning 1 · most common

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 “start suddenly”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 meaning: escape

Meaning 2

escape

break out of sth

To escape from a place or situation, especially by force or secretly.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Three prisoners tried to break out of jail last night.

A: Did you hear what happened at the zoo?
B: Yeah, a monkey managed to break out of its cage!

Common mistake

Not: They broke out ~~from~~ the prison.

Say: They broke out of the prison.

'Break out OF' a place, not 'from'.

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

Another example

Some people believe that strict security makes it almost impossible to break out of modern prisons.

Tell it apart

Three men broke out of prison.

escaped by force

A riot broke out in the prison.

suddenly started

Goes with

break out of

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which one is it?

Turn this into speaking practice

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

start suddenly escape