What does "break off" mean?

To separate or end suddenly To detach a piece, end a relationship, or stop suddenly.

How do you use "break off" in a sentence?

She broke off a piece of chocolate. They broke off their engagement. He broke off mid-sentence.

break off

Phrasal Verb BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: To separate or end suddenly

折断、中断、解除

Separar o terminar repentinamente

折り取る・中断する・解消する

떼어내다·중단하다·해소하다

To detach a piece, end a relationship, or stop suddenly.

分离一部分、结束关系或突然停止。从物理分离到关系解除、发言中断，是一个用途广泛的多义短语动词。

Desprender una parte, terminar una relación o detenerse de repente. Un phrasal verb polisémico que abarca desde la separación física hasta la ruptura de relaciones o la interrupción del habla.

一部を切り離す、関係を終わらせる、または突然止まること。物理的な分離から関係の解消、発言の中断まで幅広く使われる多義的な句動詞。

일부를 분리하거나, 관계를 끝내거나, 갑자기 멈추는 것을 의미한다.

Base verb: break

Particle: off

Separable: Yes — the object can go between the verb and particle

Examples

She broke off a piece of chocolate.
她掰下了一块巧克力。
Partió un trozo de chocolate.
彼女はチョコレートをひとかけら折り取った。
그녀는 초콜릿 한 조각을 떼어냈다.
They broke off their engagement.
他们解除了婚约。
Rompieron su compromiso.
彼らは婚約を解消した。
그들은 약혼을 파기했다.
He broke off mid-sentence.
他说到一半突然停住了。
Se detuvo a mitad de frase.
彼は文の途中で急に話を止めた。
그는 말하다가 갑자기 멈췄다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: separation, relationships, interruption

Tone: abrupt

✓ Do Say

Break off
折断一块
Partir un trozo
一部を折り取る
한 조각 떼어내다

Origin & History

From physically breaking a piece off something.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal