break offorbreak off (something)orbreak (something) offorbreak (something) off (something):to become separated or cause (something) to become separated because of force or violence(使)断开;折断
The piece of plaster broke off easily.石膏块很容易断裂。
The handle broke off when I accidentally dropped the cup.我不小心把杯子掉在地上,杯子把儿摔断了。
I accidentally broke the cup's handle off. = I accidentally broke the handle off the cup.我不小心把杯子把儿弄断了。
I broke [=tore] a piece of bread off (the loaf) and ate it.我掰下一块面包吃了。
2
break offorbreak off (something):to stop or end suddenly or cause (something) to stop or end suddenly(使)突然停止
The speaker broke off (speaking) in the middle of a sentence.演讲者话讲了半句,突然停了下来。
At that point the recording suddenly breaks off. [=ends]在那一刻,录音突然中断了。
The two countries have broken off diplomatic relations.这两个国家断绝了外交关系。
The negotiations resumed soon after they were broken off.谈判在中断之后不久又重新开始了。
They had a fight and broke off [=called off] their engagement.一场争吵之后,他们解除了婚约。
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 WebShards of steel wool can break off and become lodged in the grain lines. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2022 Carefully break off the mushroom stems without damaging the mushroom caps. Emma Balter, Chron, 11 July 2022 The idea of secession isn’t new, but whether San Bernardino County could realistically break off on its own is unlikely. Martin Estacio, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2022 But when sections of the rickety ladder break off from the dilapidated tower, Becky and Hunter are left stranded. Todd Spangler, Variety, 9 Aug. 2022 Hikers traverse one of many social trails that break off of the Grandeur Peak Face Trail, which starts at the north end of Wasatch Boulevard, on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Aug. 2022 Ramirez said that prosecutors haven’t offered evidence that Guadalupe cut the cord, which can also break off on its own.Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2022 In some cases, the current forms a channel deep into the Gulf that can break off into a large, circulating area of warm water as the original current restructures—similar to how bubbles are blown. Jay R. Jordan, Chron, 18 May 2022 Long staple cotton means that the cotton fibers are longer, making the fabric feel more soft and luxurious compared to shorter fibers that can break off or stick out when twisted into yarns. Grace Wu, Good Housekeeping, 18 Apr. 2022 See More
The first known use of break off was in the 14th century
break offADVERB➤abruptly, immediately突然/立即停住◇He broke off abruptly when Jo walked in.喬走進來時,他突然停住不說了。PREPOSITION➤from停止⋯◇She broke off from the conversation to answer the telephone.她停止交談去接電話。