Meaning trap
break into
enter illegally
to enter a building, car, or other place by force, usually to steal something
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to enter a building, car, or other place by force, usually to steal something
Another meaning of 'break into' is 'start suddenly'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Someone tried to break into my car last night, but the alarm scared them away.
If I saw someone trying to break into a house, I would immediately call the police because it’s a serious crime.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: They broke into to the warehouse.
Say: They broke into the warehouse.
'Break into' already includes the direction — no extra 'to'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Break into' is the everyday verb; the formal version is report-speak.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
break into + place
- the car
- a house
- the safe
- a shop
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- break into (start suddenly) — Another meaning of 'break into' is 'start suddenly'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.