break out
1. verb Literally, to escape from a place or thing (often prison). The criminal broke out of prison but was captured less than a mile away. You need to stop plotting how you're going to break out of here. Just do your time and maybe they'll let you out early for good behavior. How exactly do you plan to break out of here? There are guards everywhere!
2. verb By extension, to move away or separate from someone or something. I'm starting to break out from the religious tradition I was raised in. That 10-game win streak really helped them to break out from the other teams in the conference. Ultimately, she had to break out from her family and their dysfunctional ways in order to live a healthier life.
3. verb To suddenly experience skin irritation, typically pimples or hives. I'm sorry I'm late—I'm breaking out right now, so I had to spend extra time concealing all of my zits! I can't believe I'm breaking out the day before my wedding! Ugh, I'm so itchy! What is making me break out in hives?
4. verb To suddenly perform a particular action. My mother seemed fine this morning, but she did break out crying at the funeral. We all broke out laughing when Mary came out of the bathroom with her skirt tucked into her underwear. Thank goodness the little girl broke out screaming when the strange man tried to kidnap her—it probably saved her life.
5. verb To occur unexpectedly and intensely. We knew it was time to leave the club when a fight broke out between guys at the bar. We were enjoying a nice walk when a storm broke out and forced us to run back home. Those two have never gotten along, though. Why are you surprised that an argument broke out between them once again?
6. verb, slang To leave a particular place. We knew it was time to break out when some guys at the bar started fighting. You know it's going to be a long day at the office when you're ready to break out and it's only 10:00 AM. Good luck breaking out of here to go to that party—Mom hears literally every noise in the house.
7. verb To present something for use, especially something that had been stored out of sight or concealed. Break out the champagne—we've got an engagement to celebrate! I dove under the counter when the robber broke out a gun. I couldn't see a darn thing until Grandpa broke out his flashlight.
8. verb To highlight just one portion or section of something. Can you break out your department's spending for only the last three months? Please use Track Changes to break out any edits you make to the document. Hey, I think you missed a few transactions when you broke out your charges on our credit card bill.
9. adjective Standout; attracting attention and accolades, especially for the first time. In this usage, the phrase is usually written as one word. I had never heard of that actress before her breakout role in the award-winning movie. That poor kid was finally having a breakout year—it's a crying shame he got injured. Don't underestimate where this job could take you. Lots of actors become famous after a breakout role on a soap opera.
10. noun The sudden appearance of skin irritation, typically pimples or hives. In this usage, the phrase is usually written as one word. I'm sorry I'm late—I woke up to a breakout, so I had to spend extra time concealing all of my zits! I can't believe I have a breakout the day before my wedding! Are those hives? I bet you're having a breakout because you're allergic to something in the cake.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
break something out (of something)
to remove something from something else by force. Carefully, she broke the gemstone out of the side of the rock face. She broke the gemstone out carefully.
break out (in pimples)
to erupt with something such as a rash, a cold sweat, or pimples. After being in the woods, I broke out in a rash. I think it's poison ivy. I hate to break out like that. Whenever I eat chocolate, I break out in pimples the next day.
break out (with a rash)
[for the skin] to erupt with pimples, hives, or lesions, from a specific disease such as measles, chicken pox, rubella, etc. Nick and Dan broke out with chicken pox. They both broke out at the same time.
break out
(of something) 1. Lit. to escape from something, often by destructive means, especially from prison. The convicts plotted to break out of prison. You don't have the guts to break out of jail!
2. Fig. to escape from something in one's life that is too confining. I was 16 years old when I finally broke out of my rigid upbringing. She just couldn't break out of her old patterns of behavior.
break out
1. to burst forth suddenly, as with a fire, a riot, giggling, shouting, etc. A fire broke out in the belfry. A round of giggling broke out when the teacher tripped.
2. Sl. to leave. It's late, man. Time to break out. We broke out a little after midnight.
3. Go to break out (in pimples); break out (of something); break out (with something).
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
break out
1. Develop suddenly and forcefully. For example, A fire broke out last night, or He broke out in a sweat. [a.d. 1000]
2. Be affected with a skin eruption, such as a rash or boils, as in A teenager's face often breaks out in pimples. [c. 1300]
3. Prepare something for consumption, action, or use, as in Let's break out the champagne, or It's such a fine day-let's break out the fishing rods. [Early 1800s]
4. break out of. Force out by breaking; also, escape from confinement. For example, The hurricane broke the glass out of all the windows, or He broke out of prison but was soon apprehended. [Early 1600s]
5. Isolate a portion of a body of data, as in Please break out the sales figures from the quarterly report. [Mid-1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
break out
v.1. To escape confinement: The prisoners dug a tunnel under the prison walls and broke out. He broke out from jail but was immediately caught.
2. To aid something or someone in escaping confinement: The gangsters broke their comrade out of jail.
3. To develop suddenly and forcefully; erupt: Fighting broke out in the street when the two gangs came together.
4. To start doing something suddenly or spontaneously: We were quietly eating dinner when suddenly the kids broke out laughing. The marching soldiers broke out in song.
5. To bring something forth: The enemy is attacking; break out the rifles! Let's break out the champagne and celebrate.
6. To become affected with pimples, hives, acne, or similar skin rash: Wash your face well in the evening or you'll break out. I accidentally walked through poison ivy and broke out in a bad rash.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
break out
in. to leave. It’s late, man. Time to break out.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.