break loose
idiom
1
: to suddenly become loose : to suddenly stop being attached to something
One of the shutters broke loose during the storm.
2
: to get away from someone or something by using force or effort
The prisoner broke loose and ran away.
—often + fromThe prisoner broke loose from the guards.
She wants to break loose from the constraints of her middle-class life.
Examples of break loose in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If generative AI were to spew out the unsavory words that were encountered during data training, all heck would break loose.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
Once several aliens break loose, the ship sets an emergency course back to earth.
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2024
More:Pittsburgh barges break loose in Ohio River, damage marina
Cleanup continues
The Dali's crews remain about the vessel as cleanup is underway on the ship.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
Breach the break even, the theory went, and all hell might break loose; governments of oil exporting countries would be forced to slash spending, crank up taxes, and even default on their debt, all sharply raising the risk of social and political unrest.
—Michael Levi, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2015
See all Example Sentences for break loose 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
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Lance Eliot, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
Once several aliens break loose, the ship sets an emergency course back to earth.
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2024
More:Pittsburgh barges break loose in Ohio River, damage marina
Cleanup continues
The Dali's crews remain about the vessel as cleanup is underway on the ship.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
Breach the break even, the theory went, and all hell might break loose; governments of oil exporting countries would be forced to slash spending, crank up taxes, and even default on their debt, all sharply raising the risk of social and political unrest.
—Michael Levi, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2015
See all Example Sentences for break loose
Dictionary Entries Near break loose
Cite this Entry
“Break loose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20loose. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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