habit (redirected from broken the habit)

force of habit

if someone does something from force of habit, they do it without thinking because they have done it so often before. Even though he's gone she still keeps laying the table for two - force of habit, I guess.

See also: force

kick the habit (informal)

to stop doing something that is difficult to stop doing, especially taking drugs, smoking, or drinking alcohol. No coffee for me, thanks. I'm trying to kick the habit. 'Does she still smoke?' 'No, she kicked the habit a couple of years ago.'

See also: kick

Why break the habit of a lifetime? (British & Australian, humorous)

something that you say which means that you do not believe that someone will stop doing something bad that they have done all their lives. 'I must stop writing my essays the night before the deadline.' 'Why break the habit of a lifetime?'

See also: break, lifetime, why

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kick the habit

to stop smoking cigarettes. Researchers said smokers who kicked the habit would have much less chance of developing cancer.

Usage notes: sometimes used about other bad habits: He sort of let drugs take over his life, and made only occasional efforts to kick the habit.

See also: kick