break off
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Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
break off
Where it comes from
From Middle English breke of (“break off, terminate”), a dissimilated form of earlier Middle English ofbreken. By surface analysis, break + off.
verb breaks off · breaking off · broke off · broken off
- To remove a piece from a whole by breaking or snapping. She unwrapped the slab of chocolate and broke off a piece.
- To become detached by breaking or snapping. A chunk of rock broke off from the cliff face.
- To discontinue abruptly. Both families want the lovers to break off any relationship they may have.
- To end abruptly, either temporarily or permanently. Our school doesn't break off until July.
- To play the first shot in a frame of snooker, billiards or pool. Ted's opening line, when Steve broke off for the deciding frame, was, 'Last night we put our clocks back one hour. These two stars turned theirs back to April.'
- To give (someone) (something); to allow (someone) to take (something); to grant (someone) a share or portion of (something). If you help, I'll break you off a piece of the proceeds.
