Essential Phrasal Verbs & Idioms (w/ "break") Flashcards
to separate from someone or something
The iceberg broke ______ from the glacier.
The maverick duck ______ ______ from his group.
break away (from someone/something)
The iceberg broke away from the glacier.
The maverick duck broke away from his group.
The iceberg didn’t break away from the glacier.
Did the iceberg break away from the glacier?
When did the iceberg break away from the glacier?
when a machine stops working
My car broke ______ on the highway.
(something) breaks down
My car broke down on the highway.
My car didn’t break down on the highway.
Did my car break down on the highway?
Why did my car break down on the highway?
emotional collapse; lose control of emotions; become very sad
My sister ______ ______ in tears. She was so sad because she lost best friend.
(someone) breaks down
My sister broke down in tears.
use force to enter a house, building, or safe
The burglars ______ ____ the house by cracking the windows.
break into (something)
The burglars broke into the house by cracking the windows.
start suddenly, usually a disease or war
A deadly virus ______ _____ across the U.S.
(something) breaks out
A deadly virus broke out across the U.S.
A deadly virus did not break out across the U.S.
Did a deadly virus break out across the U.S.?
How did a deadly virus break out across the U.S.?
end a relationship with someone
Joe and Jane ______ ____ last week.
break up (with someone)
Joe and Jane broke up last week.
to stop two people from fighting
The security guard ______ the fight ____ between two middle aged men.
break (something) up
The security guard broke the fight up between two middle aged men.
separate something into smaller pieces
It’s too big. You need to _____ it _____ into smaller pieces.
Gordon Gekko ______ the airline ____ into separate little divisions.
break (something) up
You need to break it up into smaller pieces.
Gordon Gekko broke the airline up into separate little divisions.
to cause someone emotional pain
She ______ his ______. He’s always sad when he thinks about her.
[idiom] break (someone’s) heart
She broke his heart.
She didn’t break his heart.
Did she break his heart?
Why did she break his heart?
wish someone good luck before a performance or important event
_____ a _____! I hope you do well today!
[idiom] Break a leg!
work very hard
I’m ________ my _____ trying to finish this project. I haven’t slept in 3 days.
[idiom] break (someone’s) back doing something
I’m breaking my back trying to finish this project.
make an uncomfortable situation with people become more comfortable
When we first meet new people, it’s good to _____ the ____ early.
[idiom] break the ice
When we first meet new people, it’s good to break the ice early.
an opportunity that improves your chance of success
You caught a ______ break! You needed money, and you found $1,000!
a lucky break (n.)
You caught a lucky break! You needed money, and you found $1,000!
a person who is very attractive but is irresponsible in emotional relationships
a story or event that causes overwhelming distress
She is a __________. She makes guys fall in love with her and then dumps them.
My basketball team lost by one point in the final seconds. It was a ________.
a heartbreaker (n.)
She is a heartbreaker.
It was a heartbreaker.
