to break off relations with sb

  • 1break off — phrasal verb Word forms break off : present tense I/you/we/they break off he/she/it breaks off present participle breaking off past tense broke off past participle broken off 1) [intransitive/transitive] to stop doing something, especially… …

    English dictionary

  • 2break off phrasal — verb 1 (I, T) to suddenly stop doing something, especially talking to someone: Fay told her story, breaking off now and then to wipe the tears from her eyes. (break sth off): I broke off the conversation and answered the phone. 2 (transitive… …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 3break off — 1) PHR V ERG If part of something breaks off or if you break it off, it comes off or is removed by force. [V P] The two wings of the aircraft broke off on impact... [V P n (not pron)] Grace broke off a large piece of the clay... [V n P …

    English dictionary

  • 4break off — verb Date: 14th century intransitive verb 1. to stop abruptly < break off in the middle of a sentence > 2. to become detached < branches that broke off in the storm > 3. to end a relationship < …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 5break — breakable, adj. breakableness, n. breakably, adv. breakless, adj. /brayk/, v., broke or (Archaic) brake; broken or (Archaic) broke; breaking; n. v.t …

    Universalium

  • 6To break off — Break Break (br[=a]k), v. i. 1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. [1913 Webster] 2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed&#8230; …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 7To break off from — Break Break (br[=a]k), v. i. 1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. [1913 Webster] 2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed&#8230; …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 8break — break1 [ breık ] (past tense broke [ brouk ] ; past participle broken [ broukən ] ) verb *** ▸ 1 separate into pieces ▸ 2 fail to obey rules ▸ 3 make a hole/cut ▸ 4 destroy someone s confidence ▸ 5 when people learn news ▸ 6 stop for a short time …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 9break — [[t]breɪk[/t]] v. broke, bro•ken, break•ing, n. 1) to smash, split, or divide into parts violently 2) to disable or destroy by or as if by shattering or crushing: I broke my watch[/ex] 3) to violate or disregard (a law, promise, etc.) 4) to&#8230; …

    From formal English to slang

  • 10break*/*/*/ — [breɪk] (past tense broke [brəʊk] ; past participle broken [ˈbrəʊkən] ) verb I 1) [I/T] if something breaks, or if you break it, it separates into two or more pieces when it is hit, dropped etc I broke two dishes this morning.[/ex] Joey broke&#8230; …

    Dictionary for writing and speaking English