break off
verb- To remove a piece from a whole by breaking or snapping. · She unwrapped the slab of chocolate and broke off a piece.
- To become detached by breaking or snapping. · A chunk of rock broke off from the cliff face.
- To discontinue abruptly. · Both families want the lovers to break off any relationship they may have.
- To end abruptly, either temporarily or permanently. · Our school doesn't break off until July.
- To play the first shot in a frame of snooker, billiards or pool.
- To give (someone) (something); to allow (someone) to take (something); to grant (someone) a share or portion of (something). · If you help, I'll break you off a piece of the proceeds.
From the library
They would sit in circles on the hall of the king’s council chamber, and scratch for fleas and pretend to be men; or they would run in and out of the roofless houses and collect pieces of plaster and old bricks in a corner, and forget where they had hidden them, and fight and cry in scuffling crowds, and then break off to play up and down the terraces of the king’s garden, where they would shake the rose trees and the oranges in sport to see the fruit and flowers fall.
“Doubtless, my dear viscount, you will not be taken by force; and seriously, do you wish to break off your engagement?”
“On my account?” said the young man; “oh, no, indeed, the count will do me the justice to assert that I have, on the contrary, always entreated him to break off my engagement, and happily it is ended.
You had friends, Albert; break off their acquaintance.
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