Definition of Break off

1. Verb. Interrupt before its natural or planned end. "We had to cut short our vacation"

Exact synonyms: Break Short, Cut Short
Specialized synonyms: Hang Up
Generic synonyms: Break, Interrupt

2. Verb. Prevent completion. "Break off the negotiations"
Exact synonyms: Break, Discontinue, Stop
Specialized synonyms: Fracture, Bog, Bog Down, Break Up, Cut Off, Disrupt, Interrupt
Generic synonyms: End, Terminate
Derivative terms: Discontinuation, Stop

3. Verb. Break off (a piece from a whole). "These glasses break off easily"; "Her tooth chipped"
Exact synonyms: Break Away, Chip, Chip Off, Come Off
Specialized synonyms: Flake, Flake Off, Peel, Peel Off, Exfoliate
Generic synonyms: Divide, Part, Separate
Derivative terms: Chip, Chip, Chipping

4. Verb. Break a piece from a whole. "Break a branch from a tree"
Exact synonyms: Break, Snap Off
Generic synonyms: Detach
Derivative terms: Breakable, Breakage, Breaker

5. Verb. Break a small piece off from. "They break off the glass tubes"; "Chip a tooth"
Exact synonyms: Chip, Cut Off, Knap
Generic synonyms: Cut
Derivative terms: Chip, Chip, Chipping
Also: Chip At

Definition of Break off

1. Verb. To end abruptly, either temporarily or permanently. ¹

2. Verb. To remove a piece from a whole by breaking or snapping ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Break Off

break dance
break dancing
break down
break even
break free
break ground
break in
break into
break it down
break loose
break new ground
break of dawn
break of day
break of serve
break of the day
break off
break on the wheel
break one's arm patting oneself on the back
break one's back
break one's duck
break one's fall
break one's fast
break one's lance
break one off
break open
break out
break point
break points
break ranks
break room

Literary usage of Break off

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Collections by Minisink Valley Historical Society, Connecticut Historical Society (1882)
"time that I mentioned making an Agreement, She said if we could not agree we must break off. When I came home, Mr. Mayhew told me the Deputies had Negatived ..."

2. The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events by Frank Moore, Edward Everett (1867)
"The enemy were within thirty steps of the front of Battery Wagner, the voices of their sappers could be distinctly heard ; any attempt to break off the ..."

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