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

Saints running back Alvin Kamara rushed for 112 yards but the Rams prevented him from breaking off long scoring runs as Barkley did. —Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024

Elliott broke off a 26-yard run on the first play and then Williams a 43-yard touchdown run on the last. —Mike Frainie, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2024

When possible, suggest breaking off into smaller groups or initiating one-on-one conversations. —Ludmila Praslova, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

In 2019, the financier popped the question to the broadcast journalist but the couple broke off their engagement in 2022 after eight years together. —Esther Kang, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

break off

verb

: to stop suddenly