Phrasal Verbs: break

break down means get upset (e.g. The woman broke down when she was informed from her son.)
break down means stop relationships (e.g. Their marriage broke down after only a few months.)
break down means stop working (for machines, cars etc.) (e.g. Sorry I am late. The car broke down. (= the engine stopped working))
break something down means divide into smaller parts (e.g. The boss broke the business down into three areas.)
break in means force entry to a building (e.g. Somebody broke in yesterday and stole our car.)
break in means interrupt (e.g. The police had to break into the room to rescue the children.)
break something in means wear something a few times so that it doesn’t feel new (e.g. You need to break these shoes in before we run next week.)
break into something means enter with extra force (e.g. The TV news broke in to report the news of the president’s announcement.)
break out in something means develop a skin condition (e.g. I broke out in a rash after our camping trip.)
break out means escape (e.g. The prisoners broke out of jail when the guards weren’t looking.)
break up (with somebody) means separate (= split up) (e.g. I’m surprised to hear that Sue and Paul have split up.)
break up means start laughing (e.g. The kids just broke up as soon as the clown started talking.)

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