Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

7 VERB If someone breaks something, especially a difficult or unpleasant situation that has existed for some time, they end it or change it. □ [V n] New proposals have been put forward to break the deadlock among rival factions. □ [V n] The country is heading towards elections which may break the party's long hold on power. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Break is also a noun. □  Nothing that might lead to a break in the deadlock has been discussed yet.

8 VERB If someone or something breaks a silence, they say something or make a noise after a long period of silence. □ [V n] Hugh broke the silence. 'Is she always late?' he asked.

9 N‑COUNT If there is a break in the cloud or weather, it changes and there is a short period of sunshine or fine weather. □ [+ in ] A sudden break in the cloud allowed rescuers to spot Michael Benson.

10 VERB If you break with a group of people or a traditional way of doing things, or you break your connection with them, you stop being involved with that group or stop doing things in that way. □ [V + with ] In 1959, Akihito broke with imperial tradition by marrying a commoner. □ [V + from ] They were determined to break from precedent. □ [V n + with ] They have yet to break the link with the trade unions. [Also V n] ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Break is also a noun. □  Making a completely clean break with the past, the couple got rid of all their old furniture.

11 VERB If you break a habit or if someone breaks you of it, you no longer have that habit. □ [V n] We don't like breaking habits when it comes to food. □ [V n + of ] The professor hoped to break the students of the habit of looking for easy answers.

12 VERB To break someone means to destroy their determination and courage, their success, or their career. □ [V n] He never let his jailers break him. □ [V -ed] Ken's wife, Vicki, said: 'He's a broken man.'

13 VERB If someone breaks for a short period of time, they rest or change from what they are doing for a short period. □ [V ] They broke for lunch.

14 N‑COUNT A break is a short period of time when you have a rest or a change from what you are doing, especially if you are working or if you are in a boring or unpleasant situation. □  They may be able to help with childcare so that you can have a break. □ [+ from ] I thought a 15 min break from his work would do him good. □  She rang Moira during a coffee break.

15 → see also lunch break , tea break

16 N‑COUNT A break is a short holiday. □ [+ in ] They are currently taking a short break in Spain.

17 VERB If you break your journey somewhere, you stop there for a short time so that you can have a rest. □ [V n] Because of the heat we broke our journey at a small country hotel.

18 VERB To break the force of something such as a blow or fall means to weaken its effect, for example by getting in the way of it. □ [V n] He sustained serious neck injuries after he broke someone's fall.

19 VERB When a piece of news breaks , people hear about it online, or from the newspapers, television, or radio. □ [V ] The news broke that the Prime Minister had resigned. □ [V ] He resigned from his post as Bishop when the scandal broke.

20 VERB When you break a piece of bad news to someone, you tell it to them, usually in a kind way. □ [V n] Then Louise broke the news that she was leaving me. □ [V n + to ] I worried for ages and decided that I had better break it to her.