english
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Phrase(s): break in(to something or some place)
to force entry into a place criminally; to enter some place forcibly for the purpose of robbery or other illegal acts. • The thugs broke into the liquor store. • They broke in and took all the money., Phrase(s): break something in
1. Lit. to crush or batter something to pieces; to break something down. • Why are you breaking the door in? Here’s the key! • Who broke in the door? 2. Fig. to use a new device until it runs well and smoothly; to wear shoes, perhaps a little at a time, until they feel comfortable. • I can’t drive at high speed until I break this car in. • I want to go out this weekend and break in the car. • The new shoes hurt her feet because they were not yet broken in., Phrase(s): break someone in
to train someone to do a new job; to supervise someone who is learning to do a new job. • Who will break the new employee in? • I have to break in a new receptionist., Phrase(s): break in (on something)
to interrupt something; to intrude upon something. (See also break in (on someone).) • I didn’t mean to break in on your discussion. • Please don’t break in on us just now. This is important., Phrase(s): break in (on someone)
1. to burst into a place and violate someone’s privacy. • The police broke in on him at his home and arrested him. • They needed a warrant to break in. 2. to interrupt someone’s conversation. (See also break in (on something).) • If you need to talk to me, just break in on me. • Feel free to break in if it’s an emergency.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
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noun ADJ. attempted | factory, house, etc. BREAK-IN + NOUN happen, take place PREP. ~ at a break-in at the factory
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
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Enter by force, as in The thieves broke in through the back door. [Mid-1500s] Also see BREAK INTO. 1. Also, break in on. Interrupt or disturb something unexpectedly, as in His assistant broke in with the bad news just as we were ready to sign the agreement, or He broke in on our private talks. [Mid-1600s] 2. Train or instruct someone in a new job or enterprise, as in Every semester she had to break in a new teaching assistant. [Late 1700s] 4. Loosen or soften with use, as in It takes a while to break in a pair of new shoes. 3.
American Heritage Idioms