1. vt. & vi.打破，折断，弄坏　 cause a thing to come into two or more pieces, either on purpose or by chance
2. vt.破坏，违反 fail to fulfil (an agreement)，　 keep (a promise), or obey (a law)
3. vt.终止，中断　 come to an end in some way; interrupt
4. vt.透露，说出　 speak out
5. vt.打破（纪录） do better than
6. vt.削弱，减轻　 fail, be destroyed, or suffer a complete loss
7. vi.破晓，突然出现　 dawn, come suddenly into being

　～ a branch　折下一树枝
　～ a case　弄坏了箱子
　～ a clock　弄坏了钟
　～ a cup　把茶杯打碎
　～ a door　弄坏了门
　～ a hole in a wall　在墙上开个孔
　～ a journey　中途下车
　～ a leg　折断了腿
　～ a package　打开包裹
　～ a safe　弄坏了保险箱
　～ a secret　泄密
　～ a stick　将树枝折断
　～ a window　弄坏了窗户
　～ an electric current　断开电流
　～ bone　折断了骨头
　～ code　解码
　～ ground　破土动工，开始实行
　～ one's head　碰破头
　～ one's pencil　折断了某人的铅笔
　～ one's promise　食言
　～ one's rest　妨碍某人休息
　～ one's sleep　妨碍某人睡眠
　～ one's time　侵占某人的时间
　～ reserves of ammunition　动用储备的弹药
　～ silence　打破沉默
　～ surface　浮出水面
　～ the friendship　破坏友谊
　～ the monotony　打破单调
　～ the news to　把…消息告诉…
　～ the record for high jump　打破跳高纪录
　～ word　说话不算数
　～ even　打成平手
　～ forth　迸发
　～ advisedly　有意地破坏
　～ completely　完全打破
　～ deliberately　故意损坏
　～ distinctly　明显地破坏
　～ easily　易碎
　～ eventually　终于破损
　～ gratuitously　无端地破坏
　～ intentionally　故意地打破
　～ threateningly　毁灭性地破坏
　～ unreasonably　无端地损坏
　～ violently　猛地破裂
　～ away　逸出，（云）雾消散，挣脱身子走开，分裂
　～ away from　摆脱，与…断绝来往
　～ away from home　离家出走
　～ down 　（车）抛锚，（物质）分解，（政府）垮台，（计划）失败，（组织）瓦解，（人）非常悲伤，（身体）垮了，（和谈）中断
　～ in　强行闯进，打扰，插嘴
　～ in on　打断，妨碍，侵扰
　～ off　拆开，裂开，断绝（关系），停止，中断谈话
　～ off a few seconds　停下几秒钟
　～ off from sb　与某人绝交
　～ out 　（眼泪）夺眶而出，（疾病、火灾） 突然发生，（部队）突围，（战争）爆发
　～ out into　生长，迸发出
　～ through　现出，露出，冲破阻力向前，在某个领域有进展或突破
　～ up　分解，驱散，打碎，使…分裂
　～ up a meeting　驱散集会的人
　～ up the party　分裂该党
　～ a bamboo stick across one's knee　用膝盖把竹竿折断
　～ against　撞在…而四下迸溅，碰…而使折断
　～ against the shore　击岸
　～ for　暂停工作去…
　～ for lunch　停工吃午饭
　～ from　脱离，摆脱，突然离开
　～ from a party　脱离党
　～ from a prison　越狱
　～ into　闯入，突然开始，打扰
　～ into one's talk　插话
　～ into sb's house　闯入某人的家
　～ into song　开始唱歌
　～ into splinters　打得粉碎
　～ into tears　突然哭起来
　～ of　使（某人）戒除…
　～ oneself of a bad habit　（自己）克服恶习
　～ on　撞在…而四下迸溅，碰…而使折断
　～ on the rocks　（浪）撞击岩石
　～ on the shore　拍打着海岸
　～ out of　逃脱，摆脱
　～ out of a dilemma　从困境中脱身
　～ out of prison　越狱
　～ over the reef　盖过岩石
　～ through　突破，挤过
　～ through the enemy's line　突破敌人的防线
　～ to　通知，告知
　～ under weight　被重荷压垮
　～ with　放弃，与…绝交
　～ with a friend　与一个朋友绝交
　～ with an idea　放弃某种想法
　～ with the army　脱离军队

　Glass breaks easily.　玻璃易碎。
　Oak may bend but will not break.　橡木可以弯，但不会断。
　The rope broke when they were climbing.　他们正往上爬时绳索断了。
　Friction against the rock, combined with the weight of the climber, caused his rope to break.　与岩石的摩擦，再加上攀登者的体重，使绳子断了。
　We had no sooner set out than a thunder storm broke.　我们出发不久就雷雨大作。
　The storm broke before they reached shelter.　在他们到达避风处前风暴已经开始了。
　The spell of fine weather has broken.　持续很长时间的好天气结束了。
　The boy's voice is beginning to break.　这男孩的嗓音开始在变了。
　Day had broken, and he cast his net for the last time.　这时天已亮了，于是他便撒下最后一网。
　Things were breaking badly.　情况发展糟糕。
　Things were breaking right for us.　事情正朝着有利于我们的方向发展。
　His mother's heart will break if he leaves her.　如果他离开他母亲，她的心会碎的。
　Both teams played well; they broke even at the end.　两个队打得都很好，最后以平局告终。
　Taylor's business just managed to break even last month.　上月泰勒的生意不赔不赚。
　We need to take ￡5200 each performance just to break even.　我们每场演出需收入5200英镑才够本。
　When the bank broke, many people were ruined.　当银行倒闭时，许多人都跟着破产了。
　Three prisoners broke loose as they were being taken to another prison this morning.　今天早晨三名囚犯在押往另一监狱的途中逃跑了。
　Violence broke loose in the city last night.　昨晚城里发生了暴力行为。
　The bag fell on the floor and broke open. The sweets went everywhere!　包掉在地板上，摔破了。糖撒了一地！
　The thief broke the window and got into the house.　那贼打破窗子，进入房内。
　The boy fell from the tree and broke his leg.　那男孩从树上跌下来，摔断了腿。
　The river broke its banks.　河水冲断了堤。
　I slipped on the stairs and broke my ankle.　我从楼梯上滑下来，把踝骨跌断了。
　Every great novel has broken many conventions.　凡成功的小说都是打破了俗套的。
　A clarion call broke the morning stillness.　嘹亮的号角声打破了清晨的宁静。
　He told an interesting story to break the ice.　他打破沉默，讲了一个有趣的故事。
　We have broken the back of the job.　我们已经完成了这件工作的主要部分。
　I had to break the appointment because I was sick.　我病了，因此不得不失约。
　I am sorry that I broke my promise.　对不起，我违背了诺言。
　We are to blame in the first place for breaking our own rules.　我们没有遵守自己的规定，要首先受责备。
　You're breaking the law.　你这是在犯法。
　An action will be taken against anyone who breaks the law.　任何违法者都将受到指控。
　No difficulty can break her will.　任何困难都不能动摇她的意志。
　We broke our journey to Rome at Venice.　我们去罗马时，中途在威尼斯停下来休息了。
　He came in second, but still broke the Olympic record.　他得了第二名，但仍然打破了奥林匹克纪录。
　The tree breaks the wind.　树木可以挡风。
　The tall hedge breaks the force of the wind.　高的树篱能减弱风力。
　Grasslands have been broken and planted to wheat.　草原已经开垦出来，种上了小麦。
　School regulations could not be broken.　校纪校规任何人不得违犯。
　The strike was broken, of course, but mainly by a series of adventitious developments.　罢工是中断了，但主要还是由于发生了一系列意外事件。
　"But I was there!"Jane broke in.　“可我就在那里！”简插嘴说。
　"But what's to happen to us?"one of the villagers broke in.　“那我们会怎么样?”一个村民插嘴问。
　I'm afraid I must break this conversation short. I have to go now.　恐怕这次谈话只能到此为止，现在我得走了。
　He broke the door open.　他把门撞开了。
　The visit was broken short because there was talk of war.　由于谣传战争，访问提早结束。

 ♣ break away　(v.+adv.)
1. 突然离开；突然挣脱 leave or escape from suddenly
　The rhino broke away and ran not at us, but along the rocky bank beside us.　这头犀牛突然跑开了，但它没冲着我们跑来，而是沿着我们旁边的石堤跑了。
　They attempted to break away to form an independent state.　他们企图分裂出去成立一个独立的国家。
　The criminal broke away from the policemen who were holding him.　那罪犯从抓着他的警察手里逃脱了。
　The prisoner broke away from his guards while being taken to another jail.　犯人在被押送到另一座监狱的路上突然挣脱看守跑了。
　He was unable to break away from their grip.　他无法从他们手里脱逃。
2. 与…决裂；从…退出 cease connection with, or loyalty or obedience to
　He broke away from all his old friends.　他和老朋友断绝了来往。
　He broke away from his family and has gone to live in Australia.　他离家出走，去澳大利亚定居。
　He has already broken away from the Party.　他已脱离了党。
　Fortunately, he broke away from that lawless group years ago.　幸而几年前他就脱离了那个不法集团。
3. 改掉；放弃 give up
　We must break away from convention and adopt as many advanced techniques as possible in order to build our country into a powerful modern state in not too long a historical period.　我们必须打破常规，尽量采用先进技术，在一个不太长的历史时期内，把我国建设成为一个现代化强国。
　Modern music has broken away from 18th century rules.　现代音乐摆脱了18世纪的模式。
 ♣ break down　(v.+adv.)
1. 损坏，发生故障 destroy; stop working, running or operating
　The bridge broke down.　桥坍塌了。
　The car broke down on the way.　车子在路上出了毛病。
　Her telephone had broken down.　她的电话出了故障。
　The washing machine seems to have broken down again.　洗衣机好像又坏了。
　The elevator broke down and we had to walk up to the tenth floor.　电梯坏了，我们只好走到第10层楼上去。
　Telephone communication with all but a few outposts has broken down.　除了几个前哨据点外，与所有地方的电话联系都已中断。
　By then the gate was being broken down.　那时候大门快要被砸开了。
2. 拆散；分类 separate into smaller parts in order to understand or deal with; analyse; classify
　John broke down the washing machine.　约翰拆开了洗衣机。
　After a frank exchange of ideas, the two of them finally broke down their long-standing prejudice against each other and became friends again.　开诚布公地交换思想之后，他们两人终于解开了长期存在的疙瘩，重归于好。
　The newly published booklet breaks down into three parts.　这本新出版的小册子分成三部分。
　The figures break down into several kinds, showing us different ways of looking at the firm's activities.　这些数字分成几类，为我们显示了观察该公司活动的几种不同方法。
　We broke down the students into several small groups when we have oral class.　上口语课时，我们把学生分成若干个小组。
　In drafting the outline, please break it down into three parts.　起草大纲时，请把它分成三个部分。
　Chemicals in the body break down our food into useful substances.　体内的化学成分把我们吃的食物分解为有用的物质。
　The figures must be broken down into several lists.　这些数字应被分成若干项。
　Water is readily broken down into hydrogen and oxygen.　水可以很容易地分解为氢和氧。
3. 衰弱下来 collapse; suffer poor health
　He broke down under the strain of his position.　他的公务繁重，身体变坏了。
　Peter broke down and was unable to work for a year.　彼得病倒后一年不能上班。
　Your health will break down if you work too hard.　如果你过分辛劳，会把身体搞垮。
　His health has broken down completely.　他的身体已完全垮了。
　The old man's health broke down after a serious illness.　那位老人生一场大病后，健康衰退了。
4. 痛哭 lose control of one's feelings; burst into tears
　She broke down at the news of her mother's death.　听到母亲去世的噩耗，她不禁哭了起来。
　She broke down when she heard the news, but quickly recovered.　听到这消息时，她控制不住自己哭了起来，但很快她就平静下来了。
　Peter broke down and wept when he saw the deer that he had shot.　彼得见到那只被他打死的鹿时，忍不住掉下了眼泪。
　The speaker's words were so moving that Mrs. Smith broke down and had to leave the room.　讲话人的言辞非常动人，使史密斯太太痛哭起来，最后她只好离开会场。
5. 克服 overcome
　By helpful kindness the teacher broke down the new boy's shyness.　老师和蔼可亲的态度减轻了这个新来的孩子的羞怯。
　The teacher helped her break down her shyness.　老师帮助她克服她的害羞弱点。
　The obstacle was finally broken down.　阻力终于被克服了。
6. 失败，破产 fail and come to a halt
　Our plans have broken down.　我们的计划破产了。
　His plan broke down when it was put into practice because he had not given enough attention to details.　他的计划在实践中失败了，因为他对细节问题没有引起足够的重视。
　Talks have broken down over the disputed territory.　谈判由于领土争论而破裂了。
7. 粉碎，压倒 smash; shatter; crush
　We have broken down the resistance of the enemy.　我们已经打垮了敌人的顽抗。
　They broke down all opposition.　他们粉碎了一切反对行动。
 ♣ break in¹　(v.+adv.)
　〔说明〕 break in通常不用于进行体。
1. 打断，插嘴说 interrupt a conversation
　Don't break in when he is telling the story.　他讲故事的时候别打断他。
　I could have told the story better if so many people had not broken in.　假如没有那么多人插嘴，我的故事还能讲得更好些。
　I'm sorry to break in on your private thought, but I think we should get on with some work.　对不起，打断了你的思考，不过我想我们该干点工作了。
　Now and then a bird's song broke in upon the silence of the wood.　鸟鸣声不时打破林中的寂静。
　The man rushed in and broke in on our conversation.　那人跑进来，打断了我们的谈话。
2. 闯入 force one's way into
　We were watching TV when he broke in.　我们正在看电视，他突然闯了进来。
　He broke in and stole my money.　他破门而入偷走了我的钱。
　The policemen broke in and found the old man dead in his chair.　警察破门而入，发现老人坐在椅子上死了。
3. （使）逐渐合用 (cause to) let sb/sth get used to a new sth
　It takes a new secretary one month to break in.　新来的秘书要一个月的时间熟悉工作。
　The young athletes are breaking in well.　那些年轻的运动员正受到很好的训练。
　They are going to break in the apprentice as a lathe operator.　他们将培养那个学徒开车床。
　Two weeks in the new office should be enough to break you in.　你在新办公室呆上两周的时间就足以适应了。
　Don't drive the new car too fast; I'm still breaking it in.　别把这新车开得太快，我仍在试开这部车呢。
　When horses are about six months old, they have to be broken in.　马长到六个月左右就得训练。
4. 开始工作 begin work
　Two hundred more new recruits broke in at the steel plant last year.　去年又有两百名新学徒来到钢铁厂工作。
 ♣ break in²　(v.+prep.)
　闯入　force one's way into
　〔说明〕 break in通常不用于进行体。
　The robbers broke in the gate and took away all the valuable things.　强盗们打破大门，拿走了所有值钱的物品。
　The firemen could enter the burning house only by breaking in the door.　消防队员只有打破门才能进入着火的房子。
 ♣ break into　(v.+prep.)
　〔说明〕 break into通常不用于进行体。
1. 闯入，强行进入，破门而入 force an entry into; force one's way into
　We had to break into the house as we had lost the key.　我们丢了钥匙，不得不破门而入。
　Last night somebody broke into Mr. White's house and took away a lot of things.　昨晚有人闯进怀特先生的家并拿走了许多东西。
　The cattle broke into the wheat fields and did much damage.　牛群闯进了麦田，毁坏了不少庄稼。
　This box looks as if it's been broken into.　这箱子看上去好像被撬开过。
　The policemen found that the house had been broken into and everything stolen.　警察发现房子被砸破，里面的一切都被偷走了。
2. 打断，打扰；占用 interrupt; occupy; take up
　Don't break into their conversation; they are discussing something important.　不要打断他们的谈话；他们正在讨论重要的事情呢。
　He became so pensive that she didn't like to break into his thoughts.　他陷入沉思之中，她不想打断他的思路。
　My aunt's regular visits break into my weekend.　我姑母的不断来访打扰我度周末。
3. 突然做 burst suddenly into
　The singers broke into song.　歌手们突然唱起歌来。
　When I told them my story the girls broke into tears.　当我给女孩子们讲了我的身世后，她们都哭起来了。
　As soon as they smelled grass, the cows broke into a trot.　牛群一闻到青草的芳香，就开始慢跑起来。
　The crowd broke into loud cheers when the President's car appeared.　当总统的车出现时，群众开始大声地欢呼。
　As I grew more afraid, I broke into a cold sweat.　我越来越害怕，霎时出了一身冷汗。
　The visitors broke into exclamations of wonder when they saw the magnificent Great Wall.　看到雄伟的长城，游客们惊叹不已。
4. 把…分成 divide sth into
　Mary broke the chocolate into pieces, one for each person.　玛丽将巧克力分成小块，每人一块。
 ♣ break of　(v.+prep.)
　戒除　cure sb of a bad habit, etc.
　You must break yourself of the bad habit of interrupting a speaker.　你必须改掉打断别人讲话的坏习惯。
　We must break the child of his habit of biting his nails.　我们必须使这个孩子改掉咬指甲的习惯。
　She broke me of getting up late.　她使我改掉了睡懒觉的习惯。
　The mother wants to break her child of sucking the thumb.　这位母亲想使她的小孩子改掉嘬拇指的习惯。
　I am trying to break myself of smoking.　我在努力戒烟。
　Several times I have made up my mind to break myself of smoking.　我曾几次下决心要戒烟。
 ♣ break off　(v.+adv.)
1. （使）分离；（使）脱离 separate or remove by force
　The mast broke off.　船的桅杆突然断了。
　Many branches broke off in the strong wind.　大风把许多树枝刮断了。
　The wing of the plane broke off in mid-air and plane crashed.　机翼在空中脱落，致使飞机坠毁。
　He tried to break off the broken branch but failed in his attempt.　他试图把已折断的树枝拽下来，但是没有成功。
　Try not to break off the iron-bar. You are not strong enough.　你别想把铁栅栏弄断，你没那么大的劲。
　Mary broke off some of the chocolate to give to the children.　玛丽把巧克力掰开分给孩子们。
2. 停止，中止；断交 stop; end or discontinue unexpectedly; terminate; put an end to
　I don't know why he broke off in the midst of his speech.　我不知道他为什么讲着讲着突然停了下来。
　He broke off in the middle of his story.　他正讲着故事，突然不讲了。
　We were discussing our plans, but had to break off when the telephone rang.　我们在讨论计划时电话铃响了，我们只好停止讨论。
　He broke off in the middle of a sentence.　他在一个句子的中间停了下来。
　Let's break off and have a cup of tea.　咱们歇一会儿喝杯茶吧。
　He was busy writing the article all the morning, only breaking off occasionally to have a cup of coffee.　他一个上午都在忙于写那篇文章，只是偶尔停下来喝杯咖啡。
　They broke off for twenty minutes when the machine broke down.　机器出故障时，他们停止工作20分钟。
　They broke off their conversation when they heard a strange sound.　他们听到一个奇怪的声音，于是中断了谈话。
　Jim broke off telling the story to answer the telephone.　吉姆中断了正讲着的故事去接电话。
　Those two countries have broken off relations again.　那两个国家又一次断交了。
　Greece broke off relations with Turkey.　希腊断绝了与土耳其的外交关系。
　We may break off relations with that country.　我们有可能同那个国家断绝关系。
 ♣ break one's word
　参见word条。
 ♣ break out　(v.+adv.)
　〔说明〕 break out不用于被动结构。
1. 突然发生，爆发 begin suddenly; occur suddenly
　Influenza usually breaks out in winter.　流感通常在冬天发生。
　The famous anti-feudal and anti-imperialist May Fourth Movement broke out in Beijing in 1919.　著名的反帝反封建的五四运动于1919年在北京爆发。
　A fire broke out in the lower story during the midnight and soon the whole building was in flames.　午夜时分楼下着了火，不一会儿整栋大楼都烧起来了。
　Warm applause broke out after his speech.　他演讲结束后响起了热烈的掌声。
　Something unexpected always breaks out in this area.　在这一地区总有意想不到的事情发生。
2. 向外砸开 break sth in an outward direction
　We had to break the door out to escape from the fire.　我们不得不把门砸开以逃避火灾。
 ♣ break out in　(v.+adv.+prep.)
1. 开始显露，开始现出 begin to show sth
　The little girl broke out in rashes on her back, so she couldn't go to the kindergarten.　小女孩背上起了疹子，所以她不能去幼儿园了。
　The child broke out in measles.　那孩子出麻疹。
2. 爆发出，突然发出声音 give voice to (a sound) suddenly
　He suddenly broke out in a rage of sobs and curses.　他突然大声哭泣和咒骂起来。
　Mary broke out in loud laughter.　玛丽突然放声大笑。
　When they heard of the surrender of Nazi Germany, they broke out in tears and laughter.　当他们听说纳粹德国已投降时，激动得又是哭又是笑。
3. 吓出一身冷汗 show signs of great fear
　She was so scared that she broke out in a cold sweat.　她吓得浑身直冒冷汗。
　When I thought that no one was coming back to save me, I broke out in a cold sweat.　当我想到无人返回来救我时，我吓出了一身冷汗。
　When he heard the news that he was fired, he broke out in a sweat on his forehead.　当他听到被解雇的消息时，额头上冒出了冷汗。
　Half an hour after taking the medicine, the patient broke out in a sweat and began to feel better.　服药后半小时病人出了一身汗，感到舒服多了。
　The farmers working in the fields broke out in sweats under the hot sun.　在田野里劳动的农民们被烈日晒得大汗淋漓。
 ♣ break out into　(v.+adv.+prep.)
1. 生长 grow
　Willow trees breaking out into buds foretell the coming of spring.　柳枝绽青报春来。
2. 突然发出；迸发出 burst into; suddenly begin
　Once they understood the joke, they broke out into laughter.　他们一明白那个笑话，就哈哈大笑起来。
　Even though things have gone wrong, you needn't break out into such a fury.　即使事情出了毛病，你也犯不着发那么大的火啊。
　The wicked woman broke out into curses.　那可恶的女人突然咒骂起来。
 ♣ break out of　(v.+adv.+prep.)
　逃出　escape from; free oneself from
　Three men broke out of prison yesterday.　昨天三名囚犯越狱逃走。
　The thief broke out of the prison and escaped.　那贼越狱逃跑了。
　The guerrilla fighter managed to break out of the room where he was imprisoned.　那位游击队员终于从囚禁他的屋子里逃了出来。
　I should like to break out of this meaningless way of life.　我倒是想摆脱这无聊的生活方式。
　Many playwrights have broken out of the old traditional straight jacket.　很多剧作家从传统的禁锢中脱颖而出。
 ♣ break over　(v.+prep.)
1. 吞没；淹没 flow with force across sth
　I could see the line of white foam where the waves broke over the beach.　我能看见海浪冲击海滩留下的一排白色泡沫。
　As a child, I used to enjoy watching the stormy waves breaking over the harbour wall.　小时候，我总喜欢观看怒涛淹没港湾的堤防。
　They prevented the flood from breaking over the dam.　他们堵住了洪水，没让它淹过堤坝。
2. 雷鸣般地响起 begin forcefully near sb
　The young singer was pleasantly surprised when waves of cheering broke over her at the end of her first performance.　那位年轻歌手首场演出结束时，台下响起了雷鸣般的喝彩声，使她又惊又喜。
 ♣ break through¹　(v.+prep.)
1. 凿穿 break a way through sth solid
　We had to break through the solid wall to reach the prisoners.　我们必须凿穿那坚实的墙壁才能与囚犯们联络。
2. 冲破障碍 force a way through
　It was quite some time before they managed to break through the enemy's blockade.　他们花了好长时间才设法冲破敌人的封锁线。
　The Allies finally broke through the German lines.　盟军最终冲破了德军防线。
　The strikers struggled to break through the police line.　罢工者奋力突破警察的包围圈。
　The sun broke through the clouds and shed its golden light all over the land.　太阳穿破乌云，金色的阳光撒遍大地。
　The river broke through its banks, and flooded the country for many miles around.　河水决堤，淹没了方圆许多英里的乡村。
3. 战胜，克服… find a way to deal with
　It seemed that I could not find a way to break through such a barrier of difficulties.　我好像想不出解决这个困难的办法。
　The manager has found a way to break through such a barrier of financial difficulties.　经理想出了解决资金困难的办法。
　No matter how hard one tries to bring him out, it's almost impossible to break through his reserve.　不管谁怎样设法使他开口讲话，也几乎无法打破他的缄默。
 ♣ break through²　(v.+adv.)
1. 现出，露出 appear
　The sun broke through after days of rain.　连日阴雨之后，太阳终于露出来了。
2. 冲破阻力向前 advance in spite of opposition
　Foreign forces have broken through on the coast.　外国军队已冲破海防登上海岸。
3. 在某个领域方面有进展或突破 make advances in discovery or any other aim
　Scientists think they have broken through in their attempt to find the causes of many major diseases.　科学家们认为，他们在探索主要病症的病因方面有了新的进展。
　Now that broken through in the field of medicine, we can expect more women doctors.　既然妇女在医学领域取得了突破，我们期望有更多的女医生。
 ♣ break to　(v.+prep.)
　向…透露〔说出〕　tell (usually bad news) to (sb) in a kind way
　They dare not break the news to him.　他们不敢把那消息透露给他。
　Will you break the news of Henry's death to his wife, or shall I?　亨利的死讯是由你去告知他妻子呢还是我去?
　You are not to break the matter to anybody.　你不要把这件事泄露给任何人。
　He broke it to her gently that her son had been arrested.　他低声告诉她，她的儿子被捕了。
　They dare not break the sad news to her on account of her illness.　他们不敢向她透露噩耗，因为她在生病。
　No one was anxious to break the news of the accident to the injured person's family.　没有人急于把这次事故的消息告诉受伤者的家属。
 ♣ break up　(v.+adv.)
1. 结束 end the term
　The meeting didn't break up until eleven o'clock last night.　昨晚的会议直到十一点才散。
　What do you plan to do when school breaks up? 　学校放假后你们打算做什么?
2. 破碎，分解 scatter or be scattered; dissolve; come to an end
　The cup fell on the cement floor and broke up.　杯子掉在水泥地上打碎了。
　When does the ice break up on the river? 　河里的冰什么时候融化?
　The men in the garage will break up the old cars for their parts.　汽车修理厂的工人要把那些旧车拆掉取零件。
　She broke the old furniture up and sold the wood.　她把旧家具砍成碎木块当柴火卖了。
3. 破裂 end the relation with
　I hear that Jim and Mary are breaking up.　我听说吉姆和玛丽要分手了。
　The husband and wife are always quarreling and their relations are breaking up.　这对夫妇总吵架，他们的关系正在破裂。
　The small country is going to break up with the superpower.　这个小国决定同超级大国决裂。
　They were happy together, until the war came and broke up their home.　他们在一起过得很幸福，直到战争爆发破坏了他们的家庭。
　It was money trouble that broke up their marriage.　是为钱的事他们的婚姻才破裂的。
4. 放假 end for a holiday
　When does your school break up?　你们学校什么时候放假?
　We break up next week.　我们下周放假。
5. （使）散开，（使）解散 (cause to) divide; cease to be together
　The crowd broke up.　人群散开了。
　They break up the meeting.　他们散会了。
　The reactionary police tried to break up the strikers' protest rally, but failed.　反动警察企图冲散罢工工人的抗议集会，但未能得逞。
　Divorce broke up a lot of families.　离婚拆散了许多家庭。
6. （使）极其焦虑和痛苦 (cause to) suffer severe pain and anxiety; make sb grieve
　He may break up under this trouble.　碰上这桩麻烦事，他可能会感到十分苦恼。
　The terrible news will break him up.　这可怕的消息会使他极为痛苦。
7. 使开心或发笑 amuse sb greatly
　Peter just broke up when we told him what had happened.　我们告诉彼得发生了什么事情时，他简直乐坏了。
　His story broke me up; I couldn't stop laughing.　他的故事真逗，我简直笑破了肚皮。
 ♣ break up into　(v.+adv.+prep.)
　分成几个部分　divide sth into smaller parts
　Difference of opinion broke up the party into fractions.　意见分歧使这个党分裂成各个小派别。
　The method of breaking up the whole into parts is often used in mathematics.　数学上经常使用化整为零的方法。
　The job can be broken up into several activities, which provides some variety.　这工作可以分成几项来做，这样就有一些变化了。
　After his death, his land was broken up into areas suitable for building houses.　他死后，他的土地被分割成适合建筑房屋的小块地皮。
 ♣ break with　(v.+prep.)
1. 断绝关系，决裂 end a friendship or association with
　He broke with his friend over a very small affair.　他因为区区小事与朋友断绝了往来。
　I hear that the old man has broken with that treacherous son of his.　听说老汉已跟他那个逆子断绝了关系。
　One by one he broke with all his old friends.　他和一个又一个老朋友断绝了来往。
　He recently broke with the party he had belonged to.　他最近脱离了自己原来参加的党派。
2. 破除，改变 give up or make an end of
　The sports club decided to break with some of the past practices.　该体育俱乐部决定改变过去的某些做法。
　It's not easy to break with old habits, for they die hard.　改掉旧习惯很不容易，因为它很顽固。

 ♣ break off, break out of, break up, break with
　这组短语容易混淆，应注意区分：break off作“暂停，中断”解，指人突然终止某种正在进行的活动或已形成的关系，如谈话、婚约等；break out of意为“脱离，逃脱”，指人或物从很危险的、被禁锢的状态中逃脱出来或从俗套中脱颖而出；break up表示“分开，解除”，指使某种相对完整的东西自身解体，还可专指“放假，放学”等；break with作“终止，断绝”讲，常专指人结束自己与他人的友谊、关系，还可指放弃、革除旧习惯等。
 ♣ break, demolish, destroy, ruin
　这组词都含有“破坏”“毁坏”“消灭”的意思。其区别在于：
1. destroy和ruin这两个词所表示的“毁坏”都含有“彻底”的意味，有时可互换。destroy强调“彻底性”; ruin强调不可修复。例如：
　The rain has ruined〔destroyed〕 the crops.　这雨把庄稼全毁了。
2. break, destroy和demolish的主语可以是人，也可以是事物；而ruin的主语多为天灾人祸等无形的力量。例如：
　The windshield broke but did not shatter.　挡风玻璃裂了，但没有碎。
　All the intruders were destroyed.　所有的入侵者都被歼灭了。
　That street was demolished a few years ago.　那条街于几年前拆除了。
　She has a very real grievance against the hospital since the operation which ruined her health.　自从她做过手术后，健康状况变坏，所以她确实对医院有怨言。
3. break的宾语可以是有形物，也可以是非物质性的事物；destroy和demolish用于具体事物可指“高楼大厦”等；用于抽象事物时destroy指“名誉”“声望”等， demolish则指某人的论点、论据等。ruin的宾语则多是美好珍贵的事物。例如：
　His mother's heart will break if he leaves her.　如果他离开母亲，她的心会碎的。
　All his hopes were now destroyed.　他的一切希望现在都破灭了。
　We have demolished all her arguments and she has nothing more to say.　我们推翻了她所有的论点，她无言以对。
　The manuscript was ruined by long exposure in the cold damp cellar.　手稿在地下室因长期受阴冷潮湿的破坏而无法辨认了。
4. break可用作及物动词，也可用作不及物动词；destroy和demolish只用作及物动词；而ruin多用作及物动词，偶尔可用作不及物动词。例如：
　She broke a vase uncarefully.　她不小心打破了一只花瓶。
　The cup broke when it fell on the floor.　茶杯掉到地上摔破了。
　The mad dog ought to be destroyed.　这只疯狗应该杀死。
　They are going to demolish that old factory.　他们准备拆毁那家旧工厂。
　I was ruined by that law case; I'm a ruined man!　我被那场官司搞垮了，现在已经倾家荡产！
 ♣ break, burst
　这两个词均可表示“破裂”。二者区别在于：break一般指外力猛然损坏坚硬的东西；而burst一般指内部的力量冲破某封闭状态而损坏某物。例如：

 ♣ break, crack, shatter, wreck
　这组词的共同意思是“破裂，使破裂”。它们的区别在于：break引起的外力多是碰撞、挤压、敲打等，强调动作突然而有力，以及动作的结果，但不强调破损的程度；crack侧重于指突然发出易碎物品破裂时那样的尖声，也可指因干裂而引起裂口；shatter则强调动作的结果，碎片散得到处都是，物体彻底毁坏；wreck指将整体破坏成废物和碎片。
 ♣ break, dawn
　这两个词都可作“破晓”解。其区别在于：break的主语只能用day；而dawn的主语用day和morning都可以。例如：

 ♣ 下面两个短语意思不同：

1. 他在回家的路上摔了一跤，左腿摔断了。
　［误］ He had a fall on his way home and his leg was broken.
　［正］ He had a fall on his way home and broke his left leg.
　［析］ break作“摔坏，跌伤”解时，除非特殊修辞需要，一般不用被动结构。
2. 昨天晚上他家被盗，很多东西都丢了。
　［误］ His house broke into last night and a lot of things were stolen.
　［正］ His house was broken into last night and a lot of things were stolen.
　［析］ break into意思是“闯入某地”，主语是物时，谓语动词须用被动结构。

1. break一般不用于进行式，但如果动作持续时间较长，也可用进行式。例如：
　By then the gate was being broken down.　那时大门就要被砸开了(“砸开”要一段时间）。
2. 可以说break ground〔record, a stick, one's neck, one's mind, bad news, a vase, a system, promise, monopoly〕等，但“扯破衣服”不用break，要用tear.
3. break有时可作“就餐”或“吃”讲，其对象总是第一餐fast（斋期）。例如：
　I have broken my fast.　我已吃过早饭了。
4. 在口语中， broke可用作形容词，表示“身无分文的，破产的”。例如：
　It's no good relying on me to pay the fares; I'm broke.　别指望我付车费了，我身无分文。

1. C 裂口，裂缝；破裂　 opening by made breaking
2. C 间歇，中间休息；（电）断路　 a pause for rest between activities
3. C 改变；中断　 change or interruption in sth continuous
4. C 机会　 a chance
5. C 逃跑　 an escape especially from prison
6. U 天亮，拂晓　 dawn

　bad ～　严重的摔伤
　coffee ～　暂停工作喝咖啡的时间
　tea ～　暂停工作喝茶的时间
　during a ～ at school　学校的课间休息时间
　～ from the past　与过去决裂
　～ in a dam　堤坝上的裂口
　～ in one's way of living　生活方式的改变
　～ in the bridge　桥上的裂缝
　～ in the circuit　电流中断
　～ in the clouds　云层的缝隙
　～ in the concert　音乐会中间休息的时间
　～ in the conversation　谈话中断
　～ in the hedge　树篱的缺口
　～ in the water mains　总输水管的裂缝
　～ of the leg　腿部的摔伤
　～ with the past　与过去决裂

　There is a break in the water pipe.　水管上有个裂口。
　He continued forward until a break in the ice was clearly visible.　他继续往前走，直到能明显看出冰上有裂口的地方才停下来。
　They found the break in the pipe line and set to repair it.　他们找到了管道上的裂缝，立即动手修理。
　We heard the break and saw the glass fall out of the window.　我们听见破裂声，就看见玻璃从窗户上掉下来。
　Pitch bleeds freely from break in the bark.　树脂从树皮的裂口自然地流出来。
　Water speeded through the break in the basement wall.　水从地下室墙上的裂缝急速地流出来。
　Most waste was caused by yarn breaks.　大部分浪费由毛线断头造成。
　He jubilantly called for a break.　他兴高采烈地叫休息一会儿。
　The children have a break between classes at school.　学校里孩子们有课间休息。
　There was no break in the rains.　在雨季中雨下个不停。
　At our school the morning break lasts only ten minutes.　我们学校早晨课间休息时间只有十分钟。
　He lay down for a while during every break.　每次休息时他总要躺一会儿。
　Go on and take your coffee break. I'll cover for you until you return.　你去喝咖啡吧，你回来前我会代替你。
　A break in the circuit caused the lights to go out.　电路的中断使电灯熄灭了。
　There was a break in the conversation.　谈话暂时中断。
　There will be a break in the weather.　天气将有变化。
　We are waiting for a break in the bad weather.　我们期待着坏天气转变。
　The parents noticed a break in the child's voice.　父母亲注意到孩子的嗓音突然变 了。
　I don't want any break in my way of living.　我不想改变我的生活方式。
　I noticed a curious break in her voice.　我注意到她声音中奇异的突变。
　There are breaks for the commercials in the TV program.　电视节目常常中途停下来播送商业广告。
　This is your big break.　这可是你的大好机会。
　He's had a good year with several big breaks.　他这一年很顺利，多次走红运。
　I know you had a rotten break.　我知道你倒了霉。
　The prisoner made a break for freedom.　那囚犯越狱逃跑了。
　When the guard is not looking, make a break for it.　趁看守没有注意，快逃。

 ♣ bad break
　倒霉　bad luck
　I've had a series of bad breaks recently and it's about time my luck changed for the better.　最近我连续倒霉，现在该是转交好运的时候了。
 ♣ break of (the) day
　黎明，破晓　dawn
　We had a long drive ahead of us so we got up at break of day to make an early start.　我们还有很多路要赶，因此，我们黎明起床，一早出发。
　We started with the break of the day.　天刚亮我们就出发了。
　I arrived at the break of the day.　我天亮时就到了。
 ♣ get the breaks
　运气好，侥幸　gain the luck
　That fellow gets all the breaks. He has been working there only six months and already has been promoted to the position of vice-president.　那家伙运气真好。他在那里只工作了6个月已经被提升到副总裁的职位。
 ♣ good break
　好运气　good luck
　He certainly got a good break when he began to work in that firm; yet he deserved it because previously he had got a series of bad breaks.　他开始在那家公司工作，一定交上了好运，他也应该这样，因为此前他遇上了一连串厄运。
 ♣ make a/the break
　离开　leave
　I've decided to make the break and work for somebody else.　我决定离开去为其他人工作。
 ♣ make a/the break with
　与某人〔某物〕断绝关系　break off relationship with sb/sth
　It took him unusual courage to make the break with his family.　同家庭断绝关系他得有非凡的勇气。
　Abstract painters made a break with the tradition.　抽象派画家与过去的传统断绝了关系。
　After the death of his wife, he made a clean break with all his old associations and left for South America.　妻子死后，他断绝了与亲朋好友的一切联系，去了南美。
 ♣ without a break
　不间断地　uncontinuously
　She has been weeping since midnight without a break.　她从半夜一直哭到现在。
　I've been writing since one o'clock without a break.　我从一点钟起一直写到现在。
　She's worked for 27 hours without a break.　她已经一连干了27个小时。
　He travelled all the way to London without a break.　他去伦敦中途没有下车。
　I really was run down after working a whole year without a break.　不停息地干一年后，我真的精疲力竭了。

 ♣ break, pause
　这两个词的共同意思是“中止”“停顿”。其区别在于：
1. break指突然的短时中止；pause指短时的休止间歇。例如：
　She has worked for 16 hours without a break.　她一口气工作了16个小时，没有休息一会儿。
2. pause没有break那样急遽突然，语气也较缓和。例如：
　The workmen took a break so we enjoyed a brief respite from the noises.　工人们休息了一下，所以我们能享受片刻的安宁。
　Government sources said there would be no prolonged pause in the war.　据官方消息，这场战争的时间不会长。
3. pause常用来指说话朗读中的换气或停顿的地方，也指战争期间的停火等。例如：
　He came to a pause and then went on reading.　他停顿了一下，又继续念下去。

　咱们休息一会吧。
　［误］ Let's take break.
　［正］ Let's take a break.
　［析］ break作“中间休息”解是可数名词，其前的a不可省略。

　［同义词］ v. atomize, crash, demolish, fracture, rupture, shatter, smash, wreck, disobey, violate, collapse, scatter, splinter n. crack, gap, hesitation, interruption, stop, suspension
　［反义词］ v. mend, repair, keep, obey
　［词源］　中古英语brech<古英语brecan （折断）