# break into

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/break-into
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To enter illegally or by force, especially in order to commit a crime.

## Examples

- Someone tried to break into my car last night.
- The police arrived quickly after the alarm sounded when the thieves tried to break into the jewelry store.
- The security system failed to detect the intruder who managed to break into the high-security vault during the middle of the night.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.