broke
v.v. the past tense of break. You use it when something has cracked, snapped, or stopped working.
v. the past tense of 'break'. Refers to the act of separating into pieces, damaging a mechanism, or failing to keep a promise.
He accidentally broke the window with a ball.
The old washing machine finally broke after ten years of daily use, so we had to buy a new one.
Although the negotiator broke the silence with a joke, the tension in the room remained high as both parties reviewed the failed agreement.
Ablauted form of break.
From Middle English broce, from Old English gebroc (“fragment”), from brecan (“to break”). Compare broken, past participle of break. Compare also Scots brock (“a scrap of meat or bread”).
Back-formation from broker.
Clipping of broke off.
The past tense of 'break'; the past participle is 'broken'.
I have broke the glassI have broken the glassLearners often confuse the past tense 'broke' with the past participle 'broken' in present perfect constructions.
- 01
Coals and coke
[Cockney slang]broke
Since both coal and coke used to be supplied in large blocks that had to be broken down before their use.
- 02
go for broke
To try everything possible or do every last thing possible in a final attempt.
- 03
the straw that broke the camel's back
A small and seemingly insignificant addition to a burden that renders it too much to bear; the small thing which causes failure, or causes inability or unwillingness to endure any more of something.