break off

phr.v. to separate a small piece from a larger object by breaking it.

phr.v. to remove a part from a whole by snapping or fracturing. The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

“She broke off a square of chocolate and gave it to her friend.”

“The climber accidentally broke off a loose piece of shale, watching it tumble down the cliff face into the valley below.”

phr.v. to stop speaking in the middle of a sentence.

phr.v. to cease speaking or performing an action abruptly, often due to an interruption or sudden thought. Intransitive in this sense.

“He started to explain the plan but broke off when the manager entered the room.”

“The lecturer broke off in mid-sentence to address a student who was repeatedly whispering in the back row.”

phr.v. to end a relationship, an engagement, or a formal agreement.

phr.v. to terminate a personal or political relationship, such as an engagement or diplomatic ties. Transitive; usually takes an abstract noun as an object.

“The two countries decided to break off diplomatic relations after the border dispute.”

“After months of arguing, the couple finally decided to break off their engagement just weeks before the wedding.”

phr.v. to take the first shot in a game of pool or snooker.

phr.v. to play the opening shot in a frame of snooker, billiards, or pool to disperse the balls.

“It is your turn to break off in this round of pool.”

“The champion chose to break off with a safety shot, leaving the cue ball tight against the baulk cushion.”

Technical