break off

To suddenly stop an activity or end a relationship or agreement.

• They broke off the talks.
• She broke off her engagement last month.
• Why did you break off contact with your cousin?

How to use it: break off something with someone (They broke off negotiations with the supplier.); break something off (She decided to break it off.)

Similar words: end, terminate, discontinue

Opposites: continue, resume

Common phrases: break off talks, break off an engagement, break off contact

To separate a piece from something by bending or hitting it until it breaks.

• Break off some chocolate.
• She broke a twig off the branch.
• Can you break off a smaller piece for me?

How to use it: break something off something (She broke a small branch off the tree.); break off something (He broke off a piece of bread.)

Similar words: snap off

Common phrases: break off a piece, break off a branch, break something off

If a piece does this, it separates from something because it breaks.

• The handle broke off.
• A branch broke off during the storm.
• Did that piece break off from the roof?

How to use it: break off from something (A large piece of ice broke off from the glacier.)

Similar words: snap off

Common phrases: break off suddenly, break off completely

If an activity does this, it stops suddenly, perhaps only for a short time.

• The conversation broke off suddenly.
• She broke off when the door opened.
• Their discussion broke off for lunch and continued later.

How to use it: break off in the middle of something (He broke off in the middle of his explanation.)

Similar words: stop, cease

Opposites: continue, resume

Common phrases: break off suddenly, break off mid-sentence

To take the first shot in a game of snooker, pool, or billiards.

• You can break off first.
• She broke off at the start of the final frame.
• Who will break off in the next game of pool?

Similar words: break

Common phrases: break off first, break off in snooker

To give someone some of what you have, especially money you have earned.

• Break me off a little cash.
• She broke her brother off a share of the winnings.
• Will you break me off something if the deal succeeds?

How to use it: break someone off something (He promised to break me off a share of the profit.)

Similar words: give, share

Common phrases: break someone off something, break off a share