break


Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Financial, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

break (someone)

To completely destroy, defeat, or humiliate someone. Don't cross me, man, I will break you. That upstart company thinks it can challenge our hold in the market? We'll just have to break them, without mercy. Yeah, basic training breaks you, but you need that experience before you get on the battlefield.
See also: break
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*break

a chance; another chance or a second chance. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~.) I'm sorry. Please don't send me to the principal's office. Give me a break! I got a nice break. They didn't send me to prison.

break (up) (into something)

to divide into smaller parts. The glass broke up into a thousand pieces. It hit the floor and broke up, flinging bits everywhere.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

break

1. n. a chance; an opportunity. Come on, give me a break!
2. n. an escape from prison; a prison breakout. I hear there’s a break planned for tonight.
3. in. [for a news story] to unfold rapidly. (Journalism.) As the story continues to break, we will bring you the latest.
4. n. a solo played when the rest of the band stops. This is your break, Andy. Let’s hear it, man.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

break

rank/ranks
1. To fall into disorder, as a formation of soldiers.
2. To fail to conform to a prevailing or expected pattern or order: "Architectural experts have criticized the plaza in the past because it breaks rank with the distinctive façades of neighboring Fifth Avenue blocks, whose buildings are flush with the sidewalk" (Sharon Churcher).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
See:
References in periodicals archive ?
Will the winter break affect clubs in the EFL and National League?
Premier League set for first winter break
Ben Wood of Marsden RBL B and Richard O'Connor of Almondbury WMC B both had a 25, Gary Doughty of Crosland Moor Con A made a 28, two breaks of 28 were also recorded by John Shaw of Marsden RBL A.
Peaker powers to fine 56 break
A February half term stays costs from PS199 for two adults and two children, Easter breaks cost from PS254, May half term breaks cost from PS244 and summer holiday breaks cost from PS254.
Bag yourself a bargain break in school hols
You may qualify for a different type of break instead.
Take a break but be careful not to break the rules
Beyond this, "smoking breaks" in themselves aren't a legal entitlement and they cannot be claimed without the employer's consent.
Are you entitled to 'cigarette breaks' - even if you don't smoke? Here are your rights and what you should know; Here are your rights and what you should know
remember that good and be said for mini breaks the day Culverhouse " The survey also found that Britons aged 25 to 34 were the age group most likely to use a short break from work to complete a personal chore (29 per cent).
Brits addicted to being busy; A BREAK IS NO LONGER A BREAK FOR MORE THAN HALF OF BRITS WHO USE SHORT WORK BREAKS TO COMPLETE ADMIN TASKS
Perran View Holiday Park -St Agnes Service Charge PS8.50 pupn per Spring/Autumn break, PS10 pupn per Summer break.
FURTHER AFIELD
Longer breaks are beneficial, but frequent shorter breaks are even better.
A better way to break: use these four tips to reap the greatest benefits from your recess
HEC-RAS hydraulic model is capable to model both types of break in soil dams including overtopping and piping phenomenon.
Effects of dam break on downstream lands using Gis and Hec-Ras (case study: Eyvashan in Lorestan-Iran)
thing, breaks in the phases of the moon, breaks in the darling, the
These are the breaks [2]
To celebrate the best of summer, Super-Valu's latest Getaway Breaks is an unbeatable value deal for the whole family - a 4 night B&B hotel break for 2 adults and 2 children for just EUR299.
WIN A SUPERVALU GETAWAY BREAK
Your break option may also depend on certain conditions, which can include all rents being fully paid up to the break date.
Plan your lease exit strategy carefully; ASKTHEEXPERTS
Our employee manual says that employees are to have a 30-minute lunch break and be on the job for the entire shift unless prior arrangements are made.
Labor laws vary: let's do lunch
BANNING workers from using the internet for personal use could actually be hitting productivity because staff need a break to help reduce stress, according to a new report.
'e-breaks' make workers more productive
Idioms browser ?
Full browser ?