break
verb [ T ]
uk/breɪk/ usbroke | brokento do something that is against a law, or not do something that you should do or have promised to do:
break the law He didn't know he was breaking the law when he gave her the information.
break a promise/agreement/contract
to bring something to an end, especially suddenly or forcefully:
The company needs to break the spiral of borrowing and spending.
break a strike Outside workers were hired in an attempt to break the strike.
to reach a higher level of performance than previously:
break a barrier The company's market share had broken the 25% barrier for the first time.
break a record Yesterday Roger broke the record for monthly sales.
US informal
to exchange a large bill (= piece of paper money) for bills or coins in smaller amounts:
Can you break a twenty for me, please?
break your back
to work very hard:
He has been breaking his back to get the project finished on time.
break even
ACCOUNTING, FINANCE
to have no profit or loss at the end of a business activity because you only make enough money to pay for your costs:
How many copies do we need to sell to break even?
After paying compensation for the damaged goods, we barely broke even.
break ground US
PROPERTY
to start building a new building, or to start being built:
break ground on sth The company recently broke ground on its new manufacturing facility in Virginia Beach, VA.
The new medical center is expected to break ground in May.
break new ground
to do or discover something new:
The marketing campaign on social networking sites is breaking new ground.
break the bank
informal
to cost too much, or spend too much money:
There are insurance policies available that will not break the bank.
There are ways of boosting a traditional business without breaking the bank.
Phrasal verbs
break above/below sth
break down
break sb in
break into sth
break (sth) off
break through sth
break (sth) up
break
noun [ C ]
uk/breɪk/ us WORKPLACE
a short period of rest, when food or drink is sometimes taken:
a coffee/tea break
Where do you go in your lunch break?
have/take a break We'll work through till lunch but take a short break at 11 o'clock.
a time away from work or from a regular activity:
the Christmas break
She resumed her career after a two-year break.
a short period when a radio or television programme is interrupted by announcements or advertisements:
We'll be right back after the break.
US
a reduction in the amount that has to be paid for something:
They are changing their pricing policy and offering small investors a big price break.
break on sth New customers will be given a break on maintenance fees.
an opportunity for improving a situation, especially one which happens unexpectedly:
Her big break came when she was offered a major part in a new movie.
a break above/below sth
an occasion when levels or figures become slightly higher or lower than the level stated:
Gold prices rallied again, a move which traders said could foreshadow another break above $400 an ounce.
See also
bio break
career break
tax break