# break away

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/break-away
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to leave a group or a person, often because you disagree with them or want to be independent.

For teachers: to detach oneself from a group, organization, or physical grasp; often implies a conscious effort to gain independence or escape control.

## Examples

- The small group decided to break away and start their own club.
- Several members of the political party chose to break away after the leadership dispute.
- The colony eventually sought to break away from the empire to establish a sovereign government based on its own democratic principles.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He tried to break away his captor." but "He tried to break away from his captor." — the preposition 'from' is necessary when mentioning the person or group being left.

## Usage notes

- often followed by the preposition 'from' to indicate the group or entity being left.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'leave' (neutral) and 'secede' (highly formal/political); 'break away' emphasizes the act of separation and the effort involved.

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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.