break camp

break camp

To pack up one's belongings and leave a campsite. We need to break camp and head back to town before nightfall.

See also: break, camp

break camp

to close down a campsite; to pack up and move on. Early this morning we broke camp and moved on northward. Okay, everyone. It's time to break camp. Take those tents down and fold them neatly.

See also: break, camp

break camp

Take down a tent and pack up other gear; also, leave a place, move out. For example, The landlord has to return my rent deposit before I'll break camp. Originally camp denoted a military encampment, but by the mid-1500s the term had been transferred to temporary outdoor sites used by hunters and the like. By the 19th century, the current term was in use. Thus, "It is the hunter's rule to see that the fire is extinguished ... before breaking camp." (F.H. Guillemard, Cruise of Marchesa I, 1886).

See also: break, camp

break camp

To pack up equipment and leave a campsite.

See also: break, camp