break rank

英：[breik ræŋk]

美：[brek ræŋk]

verb

transitive verb

to separate into parts with suddenness or violence Break the chocolate bar in half.

broke a plate

to cause (a bone) to separate into two or more pieces : fracture

broke her femur

to cause an open wound in : rupture

break the skin

to cut into and turn over the surface of

break the soil

to render inoperable

broke his watch

violate, transgress break a promise breaking conventions

break the law

law to invalidate (a will) by action under the provisions of the law

archaic to force entry into

to burst and force a way through break a racial barrier

break the sound barrier

to escape by force from

break jail

to make or effect by cutting, forcing, or pressing through

break a trail through the woods

to disrupt the order or compactness of

break formation

to make ineffective as a binding force

break the spell

to defeat utterly and end as an effective force : destroy

used starvation to break the enemy

to crush the spirit of

brutal methods broke the prisoner

to make tractable or submissive: such as

equipment used to break horses

to exhaust in health, strength, or capacity

broken by his struggle for power

to stop or bring to an end suddenly : halt breaking a bad habit decided to break off all ties to the organization

break a deadlock

interrupt, suspend

break the silence with a cry

to open and bring about suspension of operation

break an electric circuit

to destroy unity or completeness of

break a dining room set by buying a chair

to change the appearance of uniformity of

a dormer breaks the level roof

to split the surface of

could see fish breaking water

to cause to discontinue a habit

tried to break him of smoking

to make known : tell

break the bad news gently

to bring to attention or prominence initially break a news story

radio stations breaking new musicians

to ruin financially

break the bank

to reduce in rank

broken from sergeant to private

to split into smaller units, parts, or processes : divide break a word at the end of a line

Break the grammar lesson into digestible chunks.

to give or get the equivalent of (a bill) in smaller denominations

Can you break a fifty?

to check or slow the speed, force, or intensity of without breaking her stride

The bushes broke his fall.

to cause failure and discontinuance of (a strike) by measures outside bargaining processes

to cause a sudden significant decrease in the price, value, or volume of

news likely to break the market sharply

exceed, surpass

break the record

golf to score less than (a specified total)

trying to break 90

tennis to win against (an opponent's service)

football to make (a run) by getting past defenders

broke a 20-yard run

firearms to open the action of (a breechloader)

to find an explanation or solution for : solve

the detective broke the case

to discover the essentials of (a code or cipher system)

to demonstrate the falsity of

break an alibi

to ruin the prospects of

could make or break her career

to produce visibly

barely breaks a sweat

intransitive verb

to escape with sudden forceful effort

the attacker broke from the throng

to come into being by or as if by bursting forth

day was breaking

to effect a penetration

break through security lines

to emerge through the surface of the water

The fish were breaking.

to start abruptly

when the storm broke

to become known or published

when the news broke

to make a sudden dash

break for cover

boxing to separate after an instance of holding an opponent at close quarters : to separate after a clinch

The ref told them to break.

to achieve initial success in usually a sudden or striking way

her song broke nationally

to begin a race

the horse broke poorly

to come apart or split into pieces : fragment, shatter

the cup broke when it fell

to open spontaneously or by pressure from within

the blister broke

of a wave to curl over and fall apart in surf or foam

to interrupt one's activity or occupation for a brief period

break for lunch

to alter sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity

a voice breaking with emotion

to become fair (see fair entry 1 sense 3) : clear

when the weather breaks

billiards to make the opening shot of a game of pool

to end a relationship, connection, or agreement—usually used with with or frombroke with the leadership

break with tradition

to give way in disorderly retreat

if the front line breaks

to swerve suddenly

to curve from a straight path a putt that breaks left

a pitch that breaks away from the batter

to fail in health, strength, vitality, resolve, or control

may break under questioning

to become inoperative because of damage, wear, or strain

the pump broke

of a horse to fail to keep a prescribed gait

to undergo a sudden significant decrease in price, value, or volume

transportation stocks may break sharply

happen, develop

for the team to succeed, everything has to break right

tennis to win against an opponent's serve

to divide into classes, categories, or types

to fold, bend, lift, or come apart at a seam, groove, or joint

The seam on her dress broke.

of cream to separate during churning into liquid and fat

verb

transitive verb

to separate into parts with suddenness or violence Break the chocolate bar in half.

broke a plate

to cause (a bone) to separate into two or more pieces : fracture

broke her femur

to cause an open wound in : rupture

break the skin

to cut into and turn over the surface of

break the soil

to render inoperable

broke his watch

violate, transgress break a promise breaking conventions

break the law

law to invalidate (a will) by action under the provisions of the law

archaic to force entry into

to burst and force a way through break a racial barrier

break the sound barrier

to escape by force from

break jail

to make or effect by cutting, forcing, or pressing through

break a trail through the woods

to disrupt the order or compactness of

break formation

to make ineffective as a binding force

break the spell

to defeat utterly and end as an effective force : destroy

used starvation to break the enemy

to crush the spirit of

brutal methods broke the prisoner

to make tractable or submissive: such as

equipment used to break horses

to exhaust in health, strength, or capacity

broken by his struggle for power

to stop or bring to an end suddenly : halt breaking a bad habit decided to break off all ties to the organization

break a deadlock

interrupt, suspend

break the silence with a cry

to open and bring about suspension of operation

break an electric circuit

to destroy unity or completeness of

break a dining room set by buying a chair

to change the appearance of uniformity of

a dormer breaks the level roof

to split the surface of

could see fish breaking water

to cause to discontinue a habit

tried to break him of smoking

to make known : tell

break the bad news gently

to bring to attention or prominence initially break a news story

radio stations breaking new musicians

to ruin financially

break the bank

to reduce in rank

broken from sergeant to private

to split into smaller units, parts, or processes : divide break a word at the end of a line

Break the grammar lesson into digestible chunks.

to give or get the equivalent of (a bill) in smaller denominations

Can you break a fifty?

to check or slow the speed, force, or intensity of without breaking her stride

The bushes broke his fall.

to cause failure and discontinuance of (a strike) by measures outside bargaining processes

to cause a sudden significant decrease in the price, value, or volume of

news likely to break the market sharply

exceed, surpass

break the record

golf to score less than (a specified total)

trying to break 90

tennis to win against (an opponent's service)

football to make (a run) by getting past defenders

broke a 20-yard run

firearms to open the action of (a breechloader)

to find an explanation or solution for : solve

the detective broke the case

to discover the essentials of (a code or cipher system)

to demonstrate the falsity of

break an alibi

to ruin the prospects of

could make or break her career

to produce visibly

barely breaks a sweat

intransitive verb

to escape with sudden forceful effort

the attacker broke from the throng

to come into being by or as if by bursting forth

day was breaking

to effect a penetration

break through security lines

to emerge through the surface of the water

The fish were breaking.

to start abruptly

when the storm broke

to become known or published

when the news broke

to make a sudden dash

break for cover

boxing to separate after an instance of holding an opponent at close quarters : to separate after a clinch

The ref told them to break.

to achieve initial success in usually a sudden or striking way

her song broke nationally

to begin a race

the horse broke poorly

to come apart or split into pieces : fragment, shatter

the cup broke when it fell

to open spontaneously or by pressure from within

the blister broke

of a wave to curl over and fall apart in surf or foam

to interrupt one's activity or occupation for a brief period

break for lunch

to alter sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity

a voice breaking with emotion

to become fair (see fair entry 1 sense 3) : clear

when the weather breaks

billiards to make the opening shot of a game of pool

to end a relationship, connection, or agreement—usually used with with or frombroke with the leadership

break with tradition

to give way in disorderly retreat

if the front line breaks

to swerve suddenly

to curve from a straight path a putt that breaks left

a pitch that breaks away from the batter

to fail in health, strength, vitality, resolve, or control

may break under questioning

to become inoperative because of damage, wear, or strain

the pump broke

of a horse to fail to keep a prescribed gait

to undergo a sudden significant decrease in price, value, or volume

transportation stocks may break sharply

happen, develop

for the team to succeed, everything has to break right

tennis to win against an opponent's serve

to divide into classes, categories, or types

to fold, bend, lift, or come apart at a seam, groove, or joint

The seam on her dress broke.

of cream to separate during churning into liquid and fat

noun

an act or action of breaking

billiards the opening shot in a game of pool or billiards

a gap or opening caused or appearing as if caused by damage : a condition produced by or as if by breaking : gap breaks in the ice a break in the clouds waiting for a break in the traffic

a break in the pipe

a gap in an otherwise continuous electric circuit

the action or act of entering, escaping, or emerging from something (such as darkness) often in a sudden or violent way : the action or act of breaking in, breaking out, or breaking forth a jail break

at break of day

a place or situation at which a break occurs: such as

the place at which a word is divided especially at the end of a line of print or writing

the location at which waves curl over and fall apart in surf or foam : the point at which waves break (see break entry 1 sense 2c) for surfing

separation of composed matter at an indicated pointalso: the separation between a preview of a website or a particular post on a website and the full content

reading the rest of the article after the break

an interruption in continuity: such as

a break in the weather

a notable change of subject matter, attitude, or treatment

the break after the eighth line of a sonnet

an abrupt, significant, or noteworthy change or interruption in a continuous process, trend, or surface a break in her dancing career fields that extend for miles without a break

dislikes breaks in his daily routine

baseball deviation of a pitched ball from a straight line

mining fault, dislocation

horseback riding failure of a horse to maintain the prescribed gait

an abrupt change in musical or vocal pitch or qualityespecially: the point between two distinctive musical registers of a voice or a wind instrument

speaking passionately, with a break in her voice

tennis the action or an instance of winning against an opponent's service : the action or an instance of breaking (see break entry 1 sense 13c) service

a service break

music a usually solo instrumental passage in jazz, folk, or popular music

dash, rush

a base runner making a break for home

sports fast break

a break toward the basket

a sudden and abrupt decline of prices or values

the start of a race

boxing the act of separating after an instance of holding an opponent at close quarters : the act of separating after a clinch

a stroke of luck and especially of good luck can't seem to catch a break a series of bad breaks

got a lucky break

a favorable or opportune situation : chance

waiting for a big break in show business

favorable consideration or treatment a break on the price

a tax break

a rupture in previously agreeable relations

a break between the two countries

an abrupt split or difference with something previously adhered to or followed

a sharp break with tradition

breakdown sense 1c

suffered a mental break

noun

an act or action of breaking

billiards the opening shot in a game of pool or billiards

a gap or opening caused or appearing as if caused by damage : a condition produced by or as if by breaking : gap breaks in the ice a break in the clouds waiting for a break in the traffic

a break in the pipe

a gap in an otherwise continuous electric circuit

the action or act of entering, escaping, or emerging from something (such as darkness) often in a sudden or violent way : the action or act of breaking in, breaking out, or breaking forth a jail break

at break of day

a place or situation at which a break occurs: such as

the place at which a word is divided especially at the end of a line of print or writing

the location at which waves curl over and fall apart in surf or foam : the point at which waves break (see break entry 1 sense 2c) for surfing

separation of composed matter at an indicated pointalso: the separation between a preview of a website or a particular post on a website and the full content

reading the rest of the article after the break

an interruption in continuity: such as

a break in the weather

a notable change of subject matter, attitude, or treatment

the break after the eighth line of a sonnet

an abrupt, significant, or noteworthy change or interruption in a continuous process, trend, or surface a break in her dancing career fields that extend for miles without a break

dislikes breaks in his daily routine

baseball deviation of a pitched ball from a straight line

mining fault, dislocation

horseback riding failure of a horse to maintain the prescribed gait

an abrupt change in musical or vocal pitch or qualityespecially: the point between two distinctive musical registers of a voice or a wind instrument

speaking passionately, with a break in her voice

tennis the action or an instance of winning against an opponent's service : the action or an instance of breaking (see break entry 1 sense 13c) service

a service break

music a usually solo instrumental passage in jazz, folk, or popular music

dash, rush

a base runner making a break for home

sports fast break

a break toward the basket

a sudden and abrupt decline of prices or values

the start of a race

boxing the act of separating after an instance of holding an opponent at close quarters : the act of separating after a clinch

a stroke of luck and especially of good luck can't seem to catch a break a series of bad breaks

got a lucky break

a favorable or opportune situation : chance

waiting for a big break in show business

favorable consideration or treatment a break on the price

a tax break

a rupture in previously agreeable relations

a break between the two countries

an abrupt split or difference with something previously adhered to or followed

a sharp break with tradition

breakdown sense 1c

suffered a mental break

Verb Middle English breken, going back to Old English brecan, going back to Germanic *brekan- (whence also Old Saxon brekan "to violently separate, shatter," Old High German brehhan, Gothic brikan), going back to Indo-European *bhreg- "violently separate," whence also, with varying ablaut grades, Latin frangere (perfect frēgī) "to break, shatter" and perhaps Old Irish braigid (perfect ro-bebraig) "(s/he) farts, breaks wind" Noun Middle English brek, breke, derivative of breken "to break >entry 1"

The first known use of break was before the 12th century

break1 of 2verb

to separate into parts suddenly or forcibly glass breaks easily break a bone

break a stick

to fracture a bone of

broke her arm

to curl over and fall apart

waves breaking against the shore

to fail to keep : violate break a promise

broke the law

to force a way break out of jail

burglars broke into the house

to appear or burst forth suddenly the storm broke pandemonium broke loose

day was breaking in the east

to become fair

wait for the weather to break

to run suddenly

break for cover

to penetrate the surface of

fish breaking water

to cut into and turn over the surface of

break ground for a new school

to defeat completely : crush

broke the revolt

to lose or cause to lose health, strength, or spirit broken by grief

broke under the strain

to lose or cause to lose the ability to function because of damage, wear, or strain I broke my watch

the TV set is broken

to reduce in rank

to bring to an end : stop broke silence

break a habit

to have or cause an interruption broke in with a comment

we'll break to let local stations identify themselves

to train an animal

break a horse to the saddle

to make known

break the news

to turn aside or lessen the force of

the bushes broke his fall

to do better than

broke the school record

open entry 2 sense 1a broke the shotgun to load it

break an electric circuit

solve

broke the code

to curve, drop, or change direction sharply

the pitch broke over the plate for a strike

to change sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity

her voice broke

break2 of 2noun

an act, action, or result of breaking

a gap in an electric circuit interrupting the flow of current

a short rest from or an interruption of work, duty, or studies

a planned interruption in a radio or television program

a noticeable change (as in a surface, course, movement, or direction)

a sudden run : dash

a place or situation at which a break occurs : gap

a stroke of luckespecially: a stroke of good luck got all the breaks

a bad break

a favorable situation

a big break in show business

favorable treatment

a tax break

break1 of 2verb

to separate into parts suddenly or forcibly glass breaks easily break a bone

break a stick

to fracture a bone of

broke her arm

to curl over and fall apart

waves breaking against the shore

to fail to keep : violate break a promise

broke the law

to force a way break out of jail

burglars broke into the house

to appear or burst forth suddenly the storm broke pandemonium broke loose

day was breaking in the east

to become fair

wait for the weather to break

to run suddenly

break for cover

to penetrate the surface of

fish breaking water

to cut into and turn over the surface of

break ground for a new school

to defeat completely : crush

broke the revolt

to lose or cause to lose health, strength, or spirit broken by grief

broke under the strain

to lose or cause to lose the ability to function because of damage, wear, or strain I broke my watch

the TV set is broken

to reduce in rank

to bring to an end : stop broke silence

break a habit

to have or cause an interruption broke in with a comment

we'll break to let local stations identify themselves

to train an animal

break a horse to the saddle

to make known

break the news

to turn aside or lessen the force of

the bushes broke his fall

to do better than

broke the school record

open entry 2 sense 1a broke the shotgun to load it

break an electric circuit

solve

broke the code

to curve, drop, or change direction sharply

the pitch broke over the plate for a strike

to change sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity

her voice broke

break2 of 2noun

an act, action, or result of breaking

a gap in an electric circuit interrupting the flow of current

a short rest from or an interruption of work, duty, or studies

a planned interruption in a radio or television program

a noticeable change (as in a surface, course, movement, or direction)

a sudden run : dash

a place or situation at which a break occurs : gap

a stroke of luckespecially: a stroke of good luck got all the breaks

a bad break

a favorable situation

a big break in show business

favorable treatment

a tax break

break1 of 2verb

to separate into parts suddenly or forcibly glass breaks easily break a bone

break a stick

to fracture a bone of

broke her arm

to curl over and fall apart

waves breaking against the shore

to fail to keep : violate break a promise

broke the law

to force a way break out of jail

burglars broke into the house

to appear or burst forth suddenly the storm broke pandemonium broke loose

day was breaking in the east

to become fair

wait for the weather to break

to run suddenly

break for cover

to penetrate the surface of

fish breaking water

to cut into and turn over the surface of

break ground for a new school

to defeat completely : crush

broke the revolt

to lose or cause to lose health, strength, or spirit broken by grief

broke under the strain

to lose or cause to lose the ability to function because of damage, wear, or strain I broke my watch

the TV set is broken

to reduce in rank

to bring to an end : stop broke silence

break a habit

to have or cause an interruption broke in with a comment

we'll break to let local stations identify themselves

to train an animal

break a horse to the saddle

to make known

break the news

to turn aside or lessen the force of

the bushes broke his fall

to do better than

broke the school record

open entry 2 sense 1a broke the shotgun to load it

break an electric circuit

solve

broke the code

to curve, drop, or change direction sharply

the pitch broke over the plate for a strike

to change sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity

her voice broke

break2 of 2noun

an act, action, or result of breaking

a gap in an electric circuit interrupting the flow of current

a short rest from or an interruption of work, duty, or studies

a planned interruption in a radio or television program

a noticeable change (as in a surface, course, movement, or direction)

a sudden run : dash

a place or situation at which a break occurs : gap

a stroke of luckespecially: a stroke of good luck got all the breaks

a bad break

a favorable situation

a big break in show business

favorable treatment

a tax break

break1 of 2verb

to separate into parts suddenly or forcibly glass breaks easily break a bone

break a stick

to fracture a bone of

broke her arm

to curl over and fall apart

waves breaking against the shore

to fail to keep : violate break a promise

broke the law

to force a way break out of jail

burglars broke into the house

to appear or burst forth suddenly the storm broke pandemonium broke loose

day was breaking in the east

to become fair

wait for the weather to break

to run suddenly

break for cover

to penetrate the surface of

fish breaking water

to cut into and turn over the surface of

break ground for a new school

to defeat completely : crush

broke the revolt

to lose or cause to lose health, strength, or spirit broken by grief

broke under the strain

to lose or cause to lose the ability to function because of damage, wear, or strain I broke my watch

the TV set is broken

to reduce in rank

to bring to an end : stop broke silence

break a habit

to have or cause an interruption broke in with a comment

we'll break to let local stations identify themselves

to train an animal

break a horse to the saddle

to make known

break the news

to turn aside or lessen the force of

the bushes broke his fall

to do better than

broke the school record

open entry 2 sense 1a broke the shotgun to load it

break an electric circuit

solve

broke the code

to curve, drop, or change direction sharply

the pitch broke over the plate for a strike

to change sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity

her voice broke

break2 of 2noun

an act, action, or result of breaking

a gap in an electric circuit interrupting the flow of current

a short rest from or an interruption of work, duty, or studies

a planned interruption in a radio or television program

a noticeable change (as in a surface, course, movement, or direction)

a sudden run : dash

a place or situation at which a break occurs : gap

a stroke of luckespecially: a stroke of good luck got all the breaks

a bad break

a favorable situation

a big break in show business

favorable treatment

a tax break

break1 of 2verb

to separate into parts suddenly or forcibly glass breaks easily break a bone

break a stick

to fracture a bone of

broke her arm

to curl over and fall apart

waves breaking against the shore

to fail to keep : violate break a promise

broke the law

to force a way break out of jail

burglars broke into the house

to appear or burst forth suddenly the storm broke pandemonium broke loose

day was breaking in the east

to become fair

wait for the weather to break

to run suddenly

break for cover

to penetrate the surface of

fish breaking water

to cut into and turn over the surface of

break ground for a new school

to defeat completely : crush

broke the revolt

to lose or cause to lose health, strength, or spirit broken by grief

broke under the strain

to lose or cause to lose the ability to function because of damage, wear, or strain I broke my watch

the TV set is broken

to reduce in rank

to bring to an end : stop broke silence

break a habit

to have or cause an interruption broke in with a comment

we'll break to let local stations identify themselves

to train an animal

break a horse to the saddle

to make known

break the news

to turn aside or lessen the force of

the bushes broke his fall

to do better than

broke the school record

open entry 2 sense 1a broke the shotgun to load it

break an electric circuit

solve

broke the code

to curve, drop, or change direction sharply

the pitch broke over the plate for a strike

to change sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity

her voice broke

break2 of 2noun

an act, action, or result of breaking

a gap in an electric circuit interrupting the flow of current

a short rest from or an interruption of work, duty, or studies

a planned interruption in a radio or television program

a noticeable change (as in a surface, course, movement, or direction)

a sudden run : dash

a place or situation at which a break occurs : gap

a stroke of luckespecially: a stroke of good luck got all the breaks

a bad break

a favorable situation

a big break in show business

favorable treatment

a tax break

break1 of 2verb

to separate into parts suddenly or forcibly glass breaks easily break a bone

break a stick

to fracture a bone of

broke her arm

to curl over and fall apart

waves breaking against the shore

to fail to keep : violate break a promise

broke the law

to force a way break out of jail

burglars broke into the house

to appear or burst forth suddenly the storm broke pandemonium broke loose

day was breaking in the east

to become fair

wait for the weather to break

to run suddenly

break for cover

to penetrate the surface of

fish breaking water

to cut into and turn over the surface of

break ground for a new school

to defeat completely : crush

broke the revolt

to lose or cause to lose health, strength, or spirit broken by grief

broke under the strain

to lose or cause to lose the ability to function because of damage, wear, or strain I broke my watch

the TV set is broken

to reduce in rank

to bring to an end : stop broke silence

break a habit

to have or cause an interruption broke in with a comment

we'll break to let local stations identify themselves

to train an animal

break a horse to the saddle

to make known

break the news

to turn aside or lessen the force of

the bushes broke his fall

to do better than

broke the school record

open entry 2 sense 1a broke the shotgun to load it

break an electric circuit

solve

broke the code

to curve, drop, or change direction sharply

the pitch broke over the plate for a strike

to change sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity

her voice broke

break2 of 2noun

an act, action, or result of breaking

a gap in an electric circuit interrupting the flow of current

a short rest from or an interruption of work, duty, or studies

a planned interruption in a radio or television program

a noticeable change (as in a surface, course, movement, or direction)

a sudden run : dash

a place or situation at which a break occurs : gap

a stroke of luckespecially: a stroke of good luck got all the breaks

a bad break

a favorable situation

a big break in show business

favorable treatment

a tax break

break1 of 2verb

to separate into parts suddenly or forcibly glass breaks easily break a bone

break a stick

to fracture a bone of

broke her arm

to curl over and fall apart

waves breaking against the shore

to fail to keep : violate break a promise

broke the law

to force a way break out of jail

burglars broke into the house

to appear or burst forth suddenly the storm broke pandemonium broke loose

day was breaking in the east

to become fair

wait for the weather to break

to run suddenly

break for cover

to penetrate the surface of

fish breaking water

to cut into and turn over the surface of

break ground for a new school

to defeat completely : crush

broke the revolt

to lose or cause to lose health, strength, or spirit broken by grief

broke under the strain

to lose or cause to lose the ability to function because of damage, wear, or strain I broke my watch

the TV set is broken

to reduce in rank

to bring to an end : stop broke silence

break a habit

to have or cause an interruption broke in with a comment

we'll break to let local stations identify themselves

to train an animal

break a horse to the saddle

to make known

break the news

to turn aside or lessen the force of

the bushes broke his fall

to do better than

broke the school record

open entry 2 sense 1a broke the shotgun to load it

break an electric circuit

solve

broke the code

to curve, drop, or change direction sharply

the pitch broke over the plate for a strike

to change sharply in tone, pitch, or intensity

her voice broke

break2 of 2noun

an act, action, or result of breaking

a gap in an electric circuit interrupting the flow of current

a short rest from or an interruption of work, duty, or studies

a planned interruption in a radio or television program

a noticeable change (as in a surface, course, movement, or direction)

a sudden run : dash

a place or situation at which a break occurs : gap

a stroke of luckespecially: a stroke of good luck got all the breaks

a bad break

a favorable situation

a big break in show business

favorable treatment

a tax break