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

This debris can break off from asteroids and comets. —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024

One of her wisdom teeth had broken off, exposing the root. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Dec. 2024

One of its rotor blades broke off during touchdown and was flung away to one side (far left). —William Harwood, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2024

Allen broke off a 17-yard run on second-and-25, then threw a 51-yard touchdown to Shakir on Buffalo’s second drive of the half. —Tim Graham, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

break off

verb

: to stop suddenly