breɪk əˈweɪ
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- break
- Particle:
- away
- Separable:
- No
What does "break away" mean?
- To escape from someone who is holding you
- To leave a group or organization to form a new one
- To move away from a group, especially in a race
- To stop following traditional practices or habits
Examples
- She managed to break away from her attacker.
- Several members broke away to form their own political party.
- The cyclist broke away from the pack and won the race.
- It's time to break away from old-fashioned thinking.
- The region is trying to break away and become independent.
How to use it
'Breakaway' (adjective/noun) describes a group that has separated from a larger one. Common in sports (breakaway goal in hockey) and politics (breakaway region).
Similar expressions
escape
separate
secede
detach
leave
Opposites
join
stay
remain
conform
Related phrasal verbs
- break up
To end a romantic relationship
- break down
To stop working or functioning (machines, vehicles)
- break out
To start suddenly (war, fire, disease, fighting)
- break into
To enter a building illegally by force
- break in
To enter a building illegally, usually by force
- break through
To force a way through a barrier or obstacle
Use it in a practice answer
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