break the wind—said of a line of trees, fence, etc. which gives protection against the wind: The dunes break the wind on the beach and provide a beautiful background. break wind—(euph., also: pass wind) expel intestinal gas from the anus: I’ll kill the first son of a bitch who even breaks wind. Note: Neither expression […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Break the Queen’s English and Clip the Queen’s English
break the Queen’s English —(also: break the King’s English) speak incorrectly owing to lack of skill: Every Berliner feels exalted when a real English jockey speaks to him and gives him an opportunity of breaking the Queen’s English. clip the Queen’s English —(dated sl., also: clip the King’s English) pronounce words hurriedly and indistinctly when […]
Difference between Break something down and Break something up
break something down— 1. destroy smth. by reducing to pieces: The old cars were broken down for their metal and parts. 2. cause smth. to be defeated; overcome smth.: The police tried to break down the prisoner’s opposition. 3. cause matter to undergo chemical change: Chemicals in the body break down our food into useful […]
Difference between Break something away, Break something off and Break something out
break something away—detach smth. completely by breaking: You’ll have to break the branches away to get through the thick forest. break something off— 1. cause smth. to come apart from smth. else: Mary broke off some of the chocolate to give to the children. 2. = break something away: These are wonderful plants and I […]
Difference between Break one’s silence and Break the silence
break one’s silence— 1. finally bring up a subject: Charlotte described the telephone call with which the kidnappers had broken their silence. 2. say smth. after a long pause in conversation: Enoch sat hunched and brooding, breaking his silence only to pass the time of day with John Biffen. break the silence— = break one’s […]
Difference between Break it down and Break it up
break it down— 1. explain smth.: Let me break it down for you—when a dog shows its teeth, it’s about to attack you. 2. (Austral., NZ sl.) stop it; come off it (used as an expression of disbelief, disagreement or a plea for moderation): Let’s break it down. I said I don’t know the man. […]
Difference between Break into a bank and Break the bank
break into a bank—get into a bank by using force (breaking a lock, window, etc.) with the intention to rob: Champ’s accomplice produces blueprints showing how they can break into the bank by digging a tunnel under the sweet shop. break the bank— 1. win all the money at a casino gambling table: He broke […]
Difference between Break even and Get an even break
break even—emerge from a transaction, etc. with balancing gains and losses; make neither profit nor loss: Today a novel needs to sell 5,000 copies for a publisher to break even. get an even break—(coll.) get an equal or fair chance; get the same opportunity as other people: Some guys never get an even break. Some […]
Difference between Break down and Break up
break down— 1. (of machinery) fail to operate: The car broke down on the way to the airport, and I had to take a taxi. 2. (of an attack, talks, etc.) fail; come to nothing: I expect the negotiations to break down soon. 3. suffer emotional disorder; lose control of oneself: The task before her […]
Difference between Break camp and Break out of camp
break camp—leave a camp or a camping-place: The daily routine will be to break camp after breakfast and load our equipment onto the boats. break out of camp—escape from a detention camp: The following day they tried to break out of camp and although unarmed they were shot down.
Difference between Break away, Break off and Break out
break away—come apart from smth.: The wing of the plane broke away in mid-air. break off— 1. = break away: The mast had broken off at its base, and lay over the side of the boat. 2. stop speaking: Jim was in the middle of a funny story when he broke off to answer the […]
Difference between Break an agreement and Break off an agreement
break an agreement—act in opposition to an agreement; violate an agreement: It was made clear that if Janet were to break this agreement the therapist would discontinue contact with her. break off an agreement—cancel or terminate an agreement: Tensions prevailed and things came to a point of no return when Lufthansa unilaterally broke off the […]