break off
B1 neutral mixed both
In simple words
to stop something suddenly or make a piece come away
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
to separate a piece from something larger by breaking it
"She broke off a piece of chocolate and handed it to me."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
to stop speaking or stop an activity suddenly
"He broke off in the middle of the sentence when the phone rang."
Grammar: inseparable
3 B2
idiomatic
neutral
to end a relationship, agreement, or discussion
"The two sides broke off negotiations after midnight."
Grammar: mixed
Usage notes
Common in both literal and figurative uses. Often used for talks, engagements, branches, and pieces of food.
Commonly used with
talks negotiations a branch a piece engagement relations
Forms
Base
break off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
breaks off
he/she/it
Past simple
broke off
yesterday
Past participle
broken off
have + pp
-ing form
breaking off
continuous
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Synonyms
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