Page 63 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

Break it up!

presidłnt of the company came to break A fire broke out in the belfry. A round
ground for the new buildng. This was of gigglng broke out when the teacher
the third buildng this year for which this tripped. A riot almost broke out when
company has broken ground. When will the police came. 2. [forŁ one’sŁ face]b to
they break ground? erupt inŁpimples.Ł Bob’s face has started
breakng out badly. My face breaks out
BreakŁitŁup! SðopŁfighting!;ŁSðopŁit! (Said when I eat a lot of chocolØte.
to two orŁmore people causingŁaŁdisður-
bance.) All right! Break it up, you guys! breakŁ outŁ in a coldŁ sweat to perspire
Stop your talkng! Break it up and get from fever, fear, or anxiety; to beginŁto
back to work. sweat profuselyŁor suddenly.Ł I was so
frightened I broke out in a cold sweat.
breakŁlooseŁ(from someone ortsomething) to
get awayŁfràmŁaŁprsànŁorŁaŁthingŁthat is The pØtient broke out in a cold sweat.
holdingŁ one.Ł (Compare thisŁ with cut breakŁ outŁ (in something) to erupt with
loose (from someone or something).) The somethingŁsuch asŁaŁrash, aŁcoldŁsweat, or
criminal broke loose from the police offi- pimples.Ł After błing in the woods, I
cer. It’s hard to break loose from home. broke out in a rash. I think it’s poison ivy.
I was twłnty years old before I could I hate to break out like that. When I
break loose. eat chocolØte, I break out in pmples. I
was so frightened I broke out in a cold
breakŁnewŁground to beginŁto do some-
thingŁthat no one else hasŁdàne; to pio- sweat. The pØtient broke out in a cold
neerŁ(inŁanŁenterprise).Ł(Se also break sweat.
ground (for something).) Dr. Andłrooà breakŁ (out)Ł in(to)Ł teyrs to start crying
was breaking new ground in cancer re- suddnly. I was so sad that I broke out
search. They were breakng new ground into tears. I always break into tears at
in consumłr electronics. a funeral. It’s hard not to break out in
breakŁoffŁ(withŁ someone) to end a friend- tears under those circumstances.
shipŁ with someone, especiallyŁ aŁ boy- breakŁ outŁ (ofŁ something) to escape from
friend orŁaŁgirlfriend.Ł Tom has finally somthing, often by dstructive mans.
broken off with Mary. I knew it could- (EspeciallyŁfrom prison,Łbut also inŁfig-
n’t last. He was bound to break off. urative senses.) The coàvicts plotted to
breakŁ one’ byckŁ (to do something) Go to break out of prison. You don’t have the
break one’s neck (to do something). guts to break out of jail! Don finally
broke out of the dłpression that had held
breakŁ one’ habit Go to break a habàt. him captive for so long. The lion broke
breakŁ one’ neckŁ (to do something) and out of its cage.
breakŁ one’ byckŁ(to do something) to work breakŁ someone ortsomething dłwn 1. [with
very hard to do sàmething. I broke my someone] to force someone to give up and
neck to get here on time. That’s the last tell secrets or agree to do something.
time I’ll break my neck to help you. After threats of torture, they broke the spy
There is no point in breaking your back. down. T They broke down the agłnt by
Take your time.
threatening violłnce. 2. [with something]
breakŁ one’ włrd not to do what one said to tearŁ somethingŁ dàwn;Ł to desðrày
one wouldŁdo; not to keepŁone’sŁpromise. something.Ł They used an ax to break
(The opposite of keep one’s word.) the door down. T We broke down the wall
Don’t say you’ll visit your grandmother if with big hammers.
you can’t go. She hates people who break breakŁ someone ortsomething in 1. [with some-
their word. If you break your word, she oàe ] to trainŁsàmeone to do aŁjob;Łto su-
woà’t trust you again.
prvise a new persàn learning a new job.
breakŁ out 1. to burst forth suddenly, as It takes time to break a new worker in.
with aŁfire, aŁriot, giggling, słouting, etc. T Are they hard to break in? T I have to

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