Break out into sth Meaning, Examples & How to Use

What Does “Break out into sth” Mean?

“Break out into sth” means to suddenly start showing a physical reaction or emotion, such as sweating, laughing, or crying.

Introduction

The phrase “break out into sth” is a common phrasal verb in English. It usually describes a sudden change in someone’s appearance or behavior, especially when it involves a physical or emotional reaction. For example, you might “break out into a sweat” when you feel nervous or “break out into laughter” when something is very funny. Understanding the “break out into sth meaning” helps learners describe sudden changes clearly and naturally in conversation or writing. This phrasal verb is useful in many contexts, from everyday situations to storytelling, making it an essential phrase to know.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: break out into something
• Type: Intransitive
• Level: B1 (Intermediate)
• Short meaning: To suddenly start showing a reaction or emotion

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Break out into sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning you cannot insert words between “break out” and “into.”

Common structure patterns:

• Subject + break(s) out into + noun (reaction or emotion)
• Example: She broke out into tears.

Note that “sth” stands for “something,” usually a noun describing the reaction (e.g., sweat, tears, laughter).

How to Use “Break out into sth”?

Use “break out into sth” to describe sudden physical or emotional reactions. It often relates to feelings like fear, happiness, or nervousness, or physical signs like sweating or rash. It fits well in both formal and informal contexts.

Examples of reactions include:

• Break out into sweat
• Break out into laughter
• Break out into tears
• Break out into a rash
• Break out into applause

Examples

• After hearing the good news, she broke out into a smile.
• He broke out into a sweat during the exam.
• The audience broke out into applause after the performance.
• When the movie was sad, I broke out into tears.
• She suddenly broke out into laughter at the joke.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect: She broke into out tears.
  Correct: She broke out into tears.
• Incorrect: He broke out tears.
  Correct: He broke out into tears.
• Incorrect: They broke out a laughter.
  Correct: They broke out into laughter.

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrasal verbs include “burst into sth” and “break into sth.”

• Break out into sth: Emphasizes a sudden physical or emotional reaction (e.g., break out into sweat).
• Burst into sth: Often used for sudden actions like crying or laughter, similar to break out into, but sometimes more intense (e.g., burst into tears).
• Break into sth: Can mean starting to do something or forcibly entering, but not used for physical reactions (e.g., break into song).

Use “break out into sth” for reactions involving the body or emotions starting suddenly.

Common Collocations

• Break out into sweat
• Break out into tears
• Break out into laughter
• Break out into a rash
• Break out into applause
• Break out into a smile

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of break out into sth:

• Break Into Sth
• Break Out In Sth
• Break Sth Up
• Break Sth In
• Break Sb Up

Real-life Dialogue

Anna: Did you see how John reacted during the speech?

Ben: Yeah, he suddenly broke out into laughter when the speaker made a joke.

Anna: I know! I almost broke out into tears because it was so touching.

Ben: Same here. It’s amazing how emotions can show up so quickly.

Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the phrase:

1. She ___________ (break out into) sweat during the difficult test.
2. The baby ___________ (break out into) tears when she dropped her toy.
3. Everyone ___________ (break out into) applause after the concert.

FAQs

• Q: Can “break out into” be used with emotions only?
  A: No, it can describe physical reactions like sweating or rashes as well.
• Q: Is “break out into sth” separable?
  A: No, it is inseparable; the words “break out” and “into sth” stay together.
• Q: Can I say “break out into song”?
  A: Usually, “break into song” is used instead of “break out into song.”
• Q: What is the difference between “break out into tears” and “burst into tears”?
  A: Both mean starting to cry suddenly, but “burst into tears” sounds more intense.
• Q: Is “break out into a smile” common?
  A: Yes, it is often used to describe a sudden smile appearing on someone’s face.