break off

verb

broke off; broken off; breaking off; breaks off

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

broke off with his business partner

transitive verb

1

: discontinue

break off diplomatic relations

2

: to remove by or as if by breaking

broke off a chunk of bread

Synonyms

• break
• break up
• can [slang]
• cease
• cut off
• cut out
• desist (from)
• discontinue
• drop
• end
• give over
• halt
• knock off
• lay off
• leave off
• pack (up or in)
• quit
• shut off
• stop

Examples of break off in a Sentence

the judge broke off court proceedings until after lunch

talks between the two sides broke off when one began making unreasonable demands

Recent Examples on the Web

Four teal break off a big mob and fly up the guts of the spread. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 19 June 2024

On Tuesday afternoon, a wooden gate outside the house was broken off its hinges and resting on a nearby fence. —Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 12 June 2024

The hail caused damage to the cockpit windows, some coverings and the nose, which photos showed appeared to have broken off. —Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 9 June 2024

Clots can break off and travel to the heart, triggering a heart attack, or to the brain, triggering a stroke. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 6 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

break off

verb

: to stop suddenly