verb

break off

BRAYK off

Break off (verb) means to end something suddenly, especially a relationship, discussion or agreement. Example: “The two countries broke off diplomatic relations last week.”

verb

To end something suddenly, especially a relationship, discussion or agreement.

"The two countries broke off diplomatic relations last week."

"They broke off the engagement a month before the wedding."

To detach a piece from a larger whole, or to come away from it.

"He broke off a chunk of bread and passed it across."

"A section of the cliff broke off into the sea overnight."

To stop speaking or doing something abruptly.

"She broke off mid-sentence when he walked in."

How to use break off

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo stop or snap something off, suddenly.

When to use it

Separable in the detaching sense — 'break a piece off' or 'break off a piece' both work. In the relationship sense it is usually 'break off the engagement' rather than 'break the engagement off'.

Memory tip

For couples, use 'break up'. 'Break off' is for a formal engagement or for talks between organisations or countries.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

break up break down call off

Common pairings

break off an engagement break off talks break off relations break off a piece break off mid-sentence

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “break off” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Etymology

From Middle English breke of (“break off, terminate”), a dissimilated form of earlier Middle English ofbreken. By surface analysis, break + off.

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

View more →

end terminate sever discontinue call off snap off detach separate stop short pause cut off

Antonyms

resume restore continue

Related words

time last home end point start stop close

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 'break off' and 'break up'?

'Break up' is what a dating couple does when they end the relationship. 'Break off' is more formal and applies to an engagement, negotiations, or diplomatic relations. You would break up with a boyfriend, but break off an engagement.

What does it mean to break off talks?

It means to stop negotiations before they have reached a conclusion, usually because one side is unwilling to continue. It implies an abrupt end rather than a planned finish.

What is the meaning of break off?

"break off" (verb) means to end something suddenly, especially a relationship, discussion or agreement.

What is another word for break off?

Other words for "break off" include end, terminate, sever, discontinue, call off, snap off.

People also searched

time last home end point start stop close