What Does “Break with sth” Mean?
“Break with sth” means to stop following or being connected to a habit, tradition, or belief. It is often used when someone decides to change their usual way of doing something.
Introduction
The phrase “Break with sth” is a useful phrasal verb in English that expresses the idea of ending a connection or relationship with something, especially habits, traditions, or rules. Understanding the “Break with sth meaning” helps learners describe moments of change or rebellion in a clear way. For example, you might say, “She decided to break with her family’s tradition,” meaning she stopped following it. This phrase is common in both spoken and written English and can add variety to your language when talking about changes or new choices.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: break with something
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to stop following or being connected to something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Break with sth” is a transitive phrasal verb, meaning it requires an object (something you break with). The structure is usually:
- Subject + break with + object
Example: She broke with tradition.
This phrasal verb is inseparable, so you cannot place the object between “break” and “with”. For example, break tradition with is incorrect.
How to Use “Break with sth”?
Use “Break with sth” when you want to express that someone stops following a custom, belief, or habit. It often shows a significant change or decision to do something differently. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when talking about social norms, personal habits, or rules.
For example, “The company decided to break with its old policies” means the company stopped following those policies.
Examples
- She decided to break with her usual routine and try something new.
- The artist broke with traditional styles to create a unique form of expression.
- They broke with the old laws and introduced new regulations.
- Break with sth in a sentence: He broke with his family’s expectations to follow his own dreams.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: She broke the tradition with.
- Correct: She broke with the tradition.
- Incorrect: They break with it their habits.
- Correct: They break with their habits.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “give up,” “cut off,” and “part with,” but they have different meanings:
- Give up: to stop doing something, often a habit (e.g., smoking).
- Cut off: to stop a connection suddenly, often between people.
- Part with: to give away something willingly.
“Break with sth” specifically means ending a connection to ideas, traditions, or habits, often with a sense of change or rebellion.
Common Collocations
- Break with tradition
- Break with convention
- Break with habit
- Break with the past
- Break with rules
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of break with sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I heard you’re changing your career. That’s a big step!
Ben: Yes, I’ve decided to break with my family’s expectations and follow my passion.
Anna: That’s brave! Breaking with tradition isn’t easy.
Ben: True, but I think it’s the right choice for me.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of “break with”:
- She decided to ________ her old habits and start exercising daily.
- The company ________ its outdated policies last year.
- He wants to ________ the family tradition and travel instead of working locally.
FAQs
- Q: Can “break with sth” be used in both formal and informal English?
A: Yes, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Is “break with sth” separable?
A: No, the object always comes after “break with.” - Q: What kind of things can you “break with”?
A: You can break with habits, traditions, rules, or beliefs. - Q: Is “break with” the same as “break up”?
A: No, “break up” usually refers to ending a romantic relationship, while “break with” refers to ending connections with ideas or habits. - Q: Can I say “break with a person”?
A: It is less common; usually, “break with” refers to non-personal things like habits or traditions.
