{"id":8350,"date":"2026-08-15T09:10:48","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T09:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/phrasal-verbs-with-break\/"},"modified":"2026-08-15T09:10:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T09:10:48","slug":"phrasal-verbs-with-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/zh\/phrasal-verbs-with-break\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Phrasal Verbs with BREAK | BREAK\u82f1\u6587\u7247\u8a9e\u52d5\u8a5e\u5b8c\u6574\u6307\u5357"},"content":{"rendered":"
\nQuick Answer:<\/strong> The verb BREAK forms over 20 common phrasal verbs in English. The most important ones include break down (\u6545\u969c\/\u5d29\u6f70), break up (\u5206\u624b\/\u89e3\u6563), break out (\u7206\u767c\/\u9003\u8dd1), and break through (\u7a81\u7834). Each phrasal verb has a distinct meaning that cannot be guessed from “break” alone \u2014 they must be learned in context.\n<\/div>\n

English has thousands of phrasal verbs, but learners who master the BREAK family unlock a huge slice of everyday speech. Native speakers say “the car broke down,” “they broke up,” and “she broke through” dozens of times a day \u2014 without thinking. For Taiwanese learners (\u53f0\u7063\u82f1\u8a9e\u5b78\u7fd2\u8005), these 20 forms cover situations from relationship drama to business negotiations to jail escapes.<\/p>\n

This guide covers all 20 phrasal verbs with BREAK, gives you real example sentences, explains how to use them in business English, and ends with a practice quiz to test yourself.<\/p>\n

\"Student
\u5b78\u7fd2BREAK\u7247\u8a9e\u52d5\u8a5e (Photo: Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What Makes BREAK So Versatile? (BREAK\u7684\u591a\u7fa9\u6027)<\/h2>\n

The base verb break<\/em> means to separate something into pieces by force. But once you pair it with a particle \u2014 a preposition or adverb like down<\/em>, up<\/em>, out<\/em>, or through<\/em> \u2014 the meaning shifts dramatically.<\/p>\n

Consider these three sentences:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • The machine broke<\/strong>. \u2192 \u6a5f\u5668\u58de\u4e86<\/li>\n
  • The machine broke down<\/strong>. \u2192 \u6a5f\u5668\u6545\u969c\u4e86\uff08\u66f4\u53e3\u8a9e\u3001\u66f4\u5e38\u7528\uff09<\/li>\n
  • The team broke through<\/strong> a bottleneck. \u2192 \u5718\u968a\u7a81\u7834\u4e86\u74f6\u9838<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The particle changes the physical action into something abstract and idiomatic. This is exactly why phrasal verbs are hard to guess from context alone \u2014 and exactly why this list will save you years of confusion.<\/p>\n

    \"Business
    \u5546\u696d\u82f1\u6587\u4e2d\u7684BREAK\u7247\u8a9e (Photo: Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Phrasal Verbs with BREAK: Meaning and Examples (BREAK\u7247\u8a9e\u52d5\u8a5e\u5b8c\u6574\u5217\u8868)<\/h2>\n

    Here are all 20 phrasal verbs, each with a Chinese translation and two example sentences showing how native speakers actually use them.<\/p>\n

    1. Break Down (\u6545\u969c\uff1b\u5d29\u6f70\uff1b\u5206\u89e3)<\/h3>\n

    Used for machines stopping, emotions collapsing, or analyzing something into parts.<\/p>\n

      \n
    • My laptop broke down right before the deadline. \u2192 \u7b46\u96fb\u5728\u622a\u6b62\u65e5\u524d\u6545\u969c\u4e86\u3002<\/li>\n
    • She broke down in tears when she heard the news. \u2192 \u5979\u807d\u5230\u6d88\u606f\u5f8c\u5d29\u6f70\u5927\u54ed\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      2. Break Up (\u5206\u624b\uff1b\u89e3\u6563\uff1b\u505c\u6b62)<\/h3>\n

      Relationships end, groups dissolve, or a signal gets interrupted.<\/p>\n

        \n
      • They broke up after three years together. \u2192 \u4ea4\u5f80\u4e09\u5e74\u5f8c\uff0c\u4ed6\u5011\u5206\u624b\u4e86\u3002<\/li>\n
      • The phone call kept breaking up \u2014 too many mountains. \u2192 \u901a\u8a71\u4e00\u76f4\u65b7\u65b7\u7e8c\u7e8c\uff0c\u5c71\u5340\u8a0a\u865f\u592a\u5dee\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \"Team
        \u5546\u696d\u82f1\u6587\u7247\u8a9e\uff1abreak even\u3001break through (Photo: Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        3. Break Out (\u7206\u767c\uff1b\u9003\u8dd1)<\/h3>\n

        Used for sudden events (war, disease, fire) or escaping from somewhere.<\/p>\n

          \n
        • A fire broke out on the third floor at midnight. \u2192 \u5348\u591c\uff0c\u4e09\u6a13\u7a81\u7136\u8d77\u706b\u3002<\/li>\n
        • Two prisoners broke out of the jail last night. \u2192 \u6628\u665a\u5169\u540d\u56da\u72af\u8d8a\u7344\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          4. Break In (\u95d6\u5165\uff1b\u6253\u65b7\uff1b\u8a66\u7a7f\/\u8a66\u7528)<\/h3>\n

          Three separate meanings depending on context: entering illegally, interrupting speech, or wearing new shoes.<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Someone broke in through the back window. \u2192 \u6709\u4eba\u5f9e\u5f8c\u7a97\u95d6\u5165\u3002<\/li>\n
          • Sorry to break in, but the meeting starts now. \u2192 \u62b1\u6b49\u6253\u65b7\u4e00\u4e0b\uff0c\u6703\u8b70\u73fe\u5728\u958b\u59cb\u3002<\/li>\n
          • I’m still breaking in these new boots \u2014 they’re killing my feet. \u2192 \u9019\u96d9\u65b0\u9774\u5b50\u9084\u5728\u78e8\u5408\u671f\uff0c\u8173\u5feb\u78e8\u7834\u4e86\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            5. Break Through (\u7a81\u7834)<\/h3>\n

            Moving past a barrier \u2014 physical or metaphorical.<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Scientists broke through a major obstacle in cancer research. \u2192 \u79d1\u5b78\u5bb6\u5728\u764c\u75c7\u7814\u7a76\u4e0a\u53d6\u5f97\u91cd\u5927\u7a81\u7834\u3002<\/li>\n
            • The sun finally broke through the clouds after a week of rain. \u2192 \u96e8\u4e0b\u4e86\u4e00\u9031\uff0c\u592a\u967d\u7d42\u65bc\u7a7f\u96f2\u800c\u51fa\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
              \"Flashcards
              \u7528\u5b57\u5361\u5b78\u7fd2\u7247\u8a9e\u52d5\u8a5e (Photo: Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

              6. Break Off (\u7a81\u7136\u505c\u6b62\uff1b\u6298\u65b7)<\/h3>\n

              Stopping something abruptly or snapping a piece off.<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Negotiations broke off without any agreement. \u2192 \u8ac7\u5224\u7a81\u7136\u7834\u88c2\uff0c\u672a\u9054\u6210\u4efb\u4f55\u5354\u8b70\u3002<\/li>\n
              • She broke off a piece of chocolate and handed it to him. \u2192 \u5979\u6298\u4e86\u4e00\u584a\u5de7\u514b\u529b\u905e\u7d66\u4ed6\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                7. Break Even (\u640d\u76ca\u5e73\u8861)<\/h3>\n

                When revenue exactly equals costs \u2014 neither profit nor loss. This is essential business English (\u5546\u696d\u82f1\u6587\u5fc5\u5099).<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • We need to sell 200 units just to break even. \u2192 \u6211\u5011\u81f3\u5c11\u8981\u8ce3\u51fa200\u4ef6\u624d\u80fd\u640d\u76ca\u5e73\u8861\u3002<\/li>\n
                • The company broke even in its second year of operation. \u2192 \u516c\u53f8\u5728\u7b2c\u4e8c\u5e74\u9054\u5230\u640d\u76ca\u5e73\u8861\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  8. Break Into (\u5f37\u884c\u9032\u5165\uff1b\u9032\u5165\u65b0\u9818\u57df)<\/h3>\n

                  Entering by force, or beginning a new career or market.<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • The startup broke into the Southeast Asian market in 2023. \u2192 \u9019\u5bb6\u65b0\u5275\u516c\u53f82023\u5e74\u6253\u5165\u6771\u5357\u4e9e\u5e02\u5834\u3002<\/li>\n
                  • He broke into a run when he heard the alarm. \u2192 \u807d\u5230\u8b66\u5831\u8072\uff0c\u4ed6\u62d4\u817f\u72c2\u5954\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                    \"Person
                    Break through\uff1a\u7a81\u7834\u76ee\u6a19 (Photo: Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

                    9. Break Away (\u812b\u96e2\uff1b\u5206\u9053\u63da\u9463)<\/h3>\n

                    Leaving a group, tradition, or country.<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • She broke away from the family business to start her own caf\u00e9. \u2192 \u5979\u96e2\u958b\u5bb6\u65cf\u4f01\u696d\uff0c\u81ea\u5df1\u958b\u4e86\u4e00\u5bb6\u5496\u5561\u5ef3\u3002<\/li>\n
                    • The runner broke away from the pack in the final kilometer. \u2192 \u6700\u5f8c\u4e00\u516c\u91cc\uff0c\u90a3\u540d\u8dd1\u8005\u5f9e\u5927\u96c6\u5718\u4e2d\u812b\u96e2\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      10. Break Loose (\u6399\u812b\u675f\u7e1b)<\/h3>\n

                      Escaping from physical restraint or control.<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • The dog broke loose from its leash and ran across the park. \u2192 \u72d7\u6399\u812b\u727d\u7e69\uff0c\u885d\u904e\u516c\u5712\u3002<\/li>\n
                      • Once he retired, he finally broke loose from all the rules. \u2192 \u9000\u4f11\u5f8c\uff0c\u4ed6\u7d42\u65bc\u64fa\u812b\u4e86\u6240\u6709\u675f\u7e1b\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                        \"English
                        \u82f1\u6587\u8ab2\u5802\u4e2d\u5b78\u7fd2\u7247\u8a9e\u52d5\u8a5e (Photo: Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

                        11. Break Apart (\u5206\u88c2\uff1b\u5206\u5d29\u96e2\u6790)<\/h3>\n

                        Coming apart into pieces \u2014 for objects, relationships, or organizations.<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • The old bridge broke apart under the weight of the flood. \u2192 \u820a\u6a4b\u5728\u6d2a\u6c34\u7684\u91cd\u58d3\u4e0b\u65b7\u88c2\u3002<\/li>\n
                        • The political party broke apart after the scandal. \u2192 \u919c\u805e\u7206\u767c\u5f8c\uff0c\u653f\u9ee8\u5206\u88c2\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          12. Break Open (\u5f37\u884c\u6253\u958b)<\/h3>\n

                          Forcing something sealed to open.<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • Firefighters had to break open the door to rescue the family. \u2192 \u6d88\u9632\u54e1\u4e0d\u5f97\u4e0d\u5f37\u884c\u6253\u958b\u9580\u6551\u51fa\u4e00\u5bb6\u4eba\u3002<\/li>\n
                          • Let’s break open a bottle of wine to celebrate. \u2192 \u4f86\u958b\u74f6\u7d05\u9152\u6176\u795d\u5427\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            13. Break Back (\u6bba\u56de\uff1b\u53cd\u653b)<\/h3>\n

                            Returning to contention, often in sports or competition.<\/p>\n

                              \n
                            • Down two sets, she broke back to win the match in five. \u2192 \u843d\u5f8c\u5169\u76e4\uff0c\u5979\u596e\u529b\u53cd\u64b2\uff0c\u4ee5\u4e94\u76e4\u62ff\u4e0b\u6bd4\u8cfd\u3002<\/li>\n
                            • The team broke back in the second half to tie the game. \u2192 \u4e0b\u534a\u5834\uff0c\u7403\u968a\u53cd\u653b\u6273\u5e73\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              14. Break Ranks (\u6253\u7834\u968a\u5f62\uff1b\u9055\u80cc\u7fa4\u9ad4)<\/h3>\n

                              Going against the official position of a group you belong to.<\/p>\n

                                \n
                              • One senator broke ranks to vote against the party bill. \u2192 \u4e00\u4f4d\u53c3\u8b70\u54e1\u9055\u80cc\u9ee8\u610f\uff0c\u6295\u7968\u53cd\u5c0d\u6cd5\u6848\u3002<\/li>\n
                              • It takes courage to break ranks when everyone else is silent. \u2192 \u5728\u773e\u4eba\u6c89\u9ed8\u6642\uff0c\u9700\u8981\u52c7\u6c23\u6253\u7834\u968a\u5f62\u767c\u8072\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                \"Language
                                \u5b78\u7fd2\u7b46\u8a18\uff1aBREAK\u7247\u8a9e\u52d5\u8a5e (Photo: Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

                                15. Break Cover (\u66b4\u9732\uff1b\u73fe\u8eab)<\/h3>\n

                                Revealing yourself after hiding \u2014 originally a hunting term.<\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                • The fox broke cover when the hounds got too close. \u2192 \u7375\u72ac\u903c\u8fd1\uff0c\u72d0\u72f8\u5f9e\u85cf\u8eab\u8655\u885d\u51fa\u3002<\/li>\n
                                • After months of silence, the whistleblower finally broke cover. \u2192 \u6c89\u9ed8\u6578\u6708\u5f8c\uff0c\u544a\u5bc6\u8005\u7d42\u65bc\u73fe\u8eab\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  16. Break Free (\u81ea\u7531\uff1b\u89e3\u653e)<\/h3>\n

                                  Escaping from something \u2014 physically or emotionally. Often used in songs and speeches.<\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  • She finally broke free from a toxic relationship. \u2192 \u5979\u7d42\u65bc\u5f9e\u6709\u6bd2\u7684\u95dc\u4fc2\u4e2d\u89e3\u653e\u3002<\/li>\n
                                  • The hostage broke free when the guard looked away. \u2192 \u5b88\u885b\u8f49\u8eab\u7684\u77ac\u9593\uff0c\u4eba\u8cea\u6399\u812b\u9003\u8dd1\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                    17. Break New Ground (\u958b\u5275\u5148\u4f8b)<\/h3>\n

                                    Doing something innovative or pioneering for the first time.<\/p>\n

                                      \n
                                    • This research breaks new ground in renewable energy. \u2192 \u9019\u9805\u7814\u7a76\u5728\u518d\u751f\u80fd\u6e90\u9818\u57df\u958b\u5275\u5148\u4f8b\u3002<\/li>\n
                                    • The film broke new ground by using entirely AI-generated visuals. \u2192 \u9019\u90e8\u96fb\u5f71\u5168\u7a0b\u4f7f\u7528AI\u751f\u6210\u756b\u9762\uff0c\u958b\u5275\u5148\u4f8b\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                      18. Break the Ice (\u6253\u7834\u50f5\u5c40)<\/h3>\n

                                      Doing something to reduce tension or awkwardness at the start of a social event.<\/p>\n

                                        \n
                                      • He told a joke to break the ice at the first meeting. \u2192 \u4ed6\u5728\u7b2c\u4e00\u6b21\u6703\u8b70\u4e0a\u8aaa\u4e86\u500b\u7b11\u8a71\u6253\u7834\u50f5\u5c40\u3002<\/li>\n
                                      • A quick game is the easiest way to break the ice with new students. \u2192 \u4e00\u500b\u5c0f\u904a\u6232\u662f\u548c\u65b0\u5b78\u751f\u6253\u7834\u50f5\u5c40\u6700\u7c21\u55ae\u7684\u65b9\u5f0f\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                        19. Break the News (\u544a\u77e5\u58de\u6d88\u606f)<\/h3>\n

                                        Delivering difficult or surprising information to someone.<\/p>\n

                                          \n
                                        • The doctor had to break the news to the family gently. \u2192 \u91ab\u751f\u4e0d\u5f97\u4e0d\u8f15\u8072\u544a\u77e5\u5bb6\u5c6c\u58de\u6d88\u606f\u3002<\/li>\n
                                        • Who’s going to break the news about the project being cancelled? \u2192 \u8ab0\u8981\u53bb\u544a\u8a34\u5927\u5bb6\u9019\u500b\u5c08\u6848\u53d6\u6d88\u4e86\uff1f<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                          20. Break a Habit (\u6212\u6389\u7fd2\u6163)<\/h3>\n

                                          Stopping a regular behavior, especially a bad one.<\/p>\n

                                            \n
                                          • Breaking a habit takes at least 21 days of consistent effort. \u2192 \u6212\u6389\u4e00\u500b\u7fd2\u6163\u81f3\u5c11\u9700\u898121\u5929\u7684\u6301\u7e8c\u52aa\u529b\u3002<\/li>\n
                                          • He finally broke his habit of checking his phone first thing in the morning. \u2192 \u4ed6\u7d42\u65bc\u6212\u6389\u4e86\u4e00\u8d77\u5e8a\u5c31\u770b\u624b\u6a5f\u7684\u7fd2\u6163\u3002<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                            BREAK\u7247\u8a9e\u52d5\u8a5e\u5728\u5546\u696d\u82f1\u6587\u4e2d\u7684\u61c9\u7528 (BREAK in Business English)<\/h2>\n

                                            Several BREAK phrasal verbs appear constantly in workplace English (\u8077\u5834\u82f1\u6587). Here are the five you need to know before your next meeting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                                            Phrasal Verb<\/th>\nBusiness Use<\/th>\nExample<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
                                            Break even<\/strong><\/td>\nFinancial reporting<\/td>\n“We’ll break even by Q3.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                                            Break down<\/strong><\/td>\nAnalyzing data<\/td>\n“Let’s break down the numbers.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                                            Break off<\/strong><\/td>\nEnding negotiations<\/td>\n“Both sides broke off talks.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                                            Break into<\/strong><\/td>\nEntering a market<\/td>\n“We plan to break into Europe.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                                            Break new ground<\/strong><\/td>\nInnovation pitches<\/td>\n“This product breaks new ground.”<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

                                            In business contexts, break down<\/em> shifts from its emotional meaning to a purely analytical one \u2014 nobody in a board meeting is crying, they’re splitting data into categories. Context (\u8a9e\u5883) is everything.<\/p>\n

                                            BREAK\u7247\u8a9e\u52d5\u8a5e\u5b78\u7fd2\u6280\u5de7 (How to Remember These)<\/h2>\n

                                            Twenty phrasal verbs feels like a lot. Here’s how to actually retain them:<\/p>\n

                                              \n
                                            1. Group by particle.<\/strong> Notice that break down<\/em>, break off<\/em>, \uff0c \u548c break apart<\/em> all involve something stopping or separating. The particle “down” almost always signals decrease or failure.<\/li>\n
                                            2. Make personal sentences.<\/strong> Replace the subjects with your own name or people you know. “My bike broke down near \u897f\u9580\u753a” sticks better than a textbook example.<\/li>\n
                                            3. Learn in chunks, not lists.<\/strong> Study 4-5 phrasal verbs per week rather than all 20 at once. Return to the list on days 7, 14, and 30.<\/li>\n
                                            4. Find them in the wild.<\/strong> Search any English news headline containing “break” and identify which phrasal verb is being used.<\/li>\n
                                            5. Use spaced repetition (\u9593\u9694\u91cd\u8907).<\/strong> Apps like Anki are built for exactly this \u2014 add each phrasal verb as a card with a personal example sentence.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                              Practice: Fill in the Blanks<\/h2>\n

                                              Choose the correct phrasal verb: break down, break out, break even, break the ice, break through<\/em><\/p>\n

                                                \n
                                              1. The old factory ________ after years of neglect. (stopped working)<\/li>\n
                                              2. A protest ________ near the parliament building yesterday. (started suddenly)<\/li>\n
                                              3. The startup expects to ________ within 18 months. (earn back costs)<\/li>\n
                                              4. She suggested a team lunch to ________ with the new interns. (reduce awkwardness)<\/li>\n
                                              5. After years of failure, the researchers finally ________. (made a major advance)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                Answers:<\/strong> 1. broke down   2. broke out   3. break even   4. break the ice   5. broke through<\/p>\n

                                                Watch and Learn (\u5f71\u7247\u5b78\u7fd2)<\/h2>\n

                                                This video from engVid covers eight of the most common BREAK phrasal verbs with clear explanations and examples:<\/p>\n

                                                \n
                                                \n