break formation
idiom
: to stop being or moving together in an organized group
The planes broke formation and took off in different directions.
Examples of break formation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At one point in the clip, the rodents start to slow down and break formation.
—
Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 9 July 2024
Once Allied bombers were attacked, P-51 pilots had permission to break formation and shoot down German fighters at will.
—David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Aug. 2021
The group did not run toward the gunshots or break formation.
—Nicole Chavez, Ryan Young and Angela Barajas, CNN, 25 Oct. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 9 July 2024
Once Allied bombers were attacked, P-51 pilots had permission to break formation and shoot down German fighters at will.
—David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Aug. 2021
The group did not run toward the gunshots or break formation.
—Nicole Chavez, Ryan Young and Angela Barajas, CNN, 25 Oct. 2020
Dictionary Entries Near break formation
Cite this Entry
“Break formation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20formation. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share