break (something) to (someone)

break (something) to (someone)

To reveal information, often that which is bad or upsetting. Who is going to break the news of the accident to Millie? Your mother is going to be furious if she learns of our engagement from someone else—you have to break it to her first! No one wants to be the bad guy who breaks the news of layoffs to the staff.

See also: break, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

break something to someone

to disclose some news or information to someone. (Often said of unpleasant news.) I hate to be the one to break this to you, but there is trouble at home. We broke the bad news to Ken gently.

See also: break, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.