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Having completely run out of money
“If they were broke, they would be more concerned with making a living than making history.”
Having net losses, or being in debt
To have headed straight towards a specified direction or object, usually at an accelerated speed
To have come into being as a result of something
“We had no inkling that the horsemeat scandal would break in the middle of the filming of our documentary.”
Past tense for to separate into pieces as a result of a collision, blow, shock, or strain
“The piñata would eventually break after being struck repeatedly by enthusiastic kids.”
(of a rule, law or agreement) Past tense for to fail to keep or abide by
“He chose to break his contract with the club after a significantly more lucrative offer was presented to him.”
Past tense for to stop proceedings, typically in relation to arduous activity
“Let's break for a few minutes before we drive ourselves crazy from all this work.”
Past tense for to stop or interrupt an action, process or operation
“We can break the cycle of poverty by providing work and employment opportunities.”
Past tense for to tell or reveal news or information
“I couldn't wait to break the good news to him that he had aced his exam.”
Past tense for to be revealed
“If there is any truth to any of this, the news will break in due course.”
Past tense for to exceed or cross a given limit
“He was determined to break the world record to make a name for himself.”
Past tense for to become inoperative
“We have backups on standby should the machines currently in operation break.”
Past tense for to cause damage to
“I would break my juicer by overfilling it.”
Past tense for to cushion something's effect
“His reflexes kicked in, and he threw out his arms, managing to break her fall.”
Past tense for to retreat from something frightening or dangerous
“The crowd in Pamplona would immediately break once the bulls were set loose.”
Past tense for to sustain an injury involving the fracture of a bone or bones in a part of the body
“He was relieved after scans confirmed that the accident did not break any of his bones.”
Past tense for to decipher or solve through reasoning, analysis or logic
“Rejewski used the theory of permutations to break the message keys of the plugboard Enigma machine.”
(of a habit) Past tense for to quit or give up
“He resolved to break his habit of constantly being overly critical of himself.”
Past tense for to be overcome by a given feeling or emotion
“Homer's self-control would finally break as he greedily gobbled down the blueberry pie.”
Past tense for to cause to become tired, weary or fatigued
“The grueling workout would eventually break me, and I had to quit from exhaustion.”
(of one's voice) Past tense for to speak haltingly
“Her voice would break as she recounted the harrowing ordeal.”
(of waves) Past tense for to crash against a barrier or surface
“We stood near the beach by the fire, listening to the waves break on the shingle.”
Past tense for to move in a (usually sharp) turn
“James would dribble to his left, then break to his right to shake off his opponent.”
(of the weather) Past tense for to undergo a change
“The weather would break, temperatures would rise, and it would be briefly warm enough to smell the earth once again.”
Past tense for to break through a surface
“Press down onto each potato to break the skin and flesh a little, allowing the oil to penetrate.”
Past tense for to penetrate the surface from below
“Dolphins would break all around our boat.”
Past tense for to destroy, weaken or work against
“Government indifference failed to break the movement but, in fact, radicalized it.”
Past tense for to fail in business or to become bankrupt
“The hemorrhaging cash flow would eventually break him.”
Past tense for to reduce the value or price of
“Adam Osborne decided that he wanted to break the price of computers by creating his own.”
(of a piece of land) Past tense for to cut into and turn over the sod of
“Farmers of old would break fields with horse-drawn plows.”
Related Words and Phrases
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