Lexic.us

Definition of Break off

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

2. Verb. Prevent completion. "Break off the negotiations"

3. Verb. Break off (a piece from a whole). "These glasses break off easily"; "Her tooth chipped"

4. Verb. Break a piece from a whole. "Break a branch from a tree"

5. Verb. Break a small piece off from. "They break off the glass tubes"; "Chip a tooth"

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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