collocations.org

Collocations for break - verb

ADV.

easily | in half, in two
She broke the chocolate bar in two and gave a piece to me.
up
She broke the chocolate up into small pieces.

PREP.

into
The glass broke into hundreds of pieces.
PHRASAL VERBS break down

1. fail

ADV.

completely, irretrievably
They were divorced on the grounds that their marriage had broken down irretrievably.

2. start crying

PHRASES

break down and cry/weep, break down in tears
She broke down in tears as she spoke to reporters.
break off

ADV.

abruptly
He broke off abruptly when Jo walked in.

PREP.

from
She broke off from the conversation to answer the telephone.

Collocations for break - noun

1. short rest/holiday

ADJ.

short | coffee, lunch, tea | Christmas, Easter
Are you going away for the Easter break?

VERB + BREAK

have, take
We''ll take a break now and resume in half an hour.
need

BREAK + NOUN

time

PREP.

at ~
I''ll see you at break.
during (a/the) ~
I had a word with John during the break.
without a ~
We worked all day without a break.
~ for
a break for lunch
~ from
a break from looking after the children

2. change/interruption in sth

ADJ.

clean, complete | career | commercial

VERB + BREAK

make
His new work makes a break with the past. | I wanted to leave but was nervous about making the break.

PREP.

~ from
a break from tradition
~ in
a break in the weather
~ with

3. opportunity

ADJ.

big, lucky

VERB + BREAK

get
I always knew I would get my lucky break one day.
give sb
He''s the director who gave her her first big break.

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