break camp

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break camp

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

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

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 camp

To pack up equipment and leave a campsite.

See also: break, camp

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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References in periodicals archive ?

The other boys having met with about the same luck as the main party, we broke camp at once, and moving down the river about four miles to get out of the sweep of the mountains, made camp.

Account of a prospecting trip north to Canada in 1873

The part about scaling back and simplifying, which Nagy first mentioned Sunday before the Bears broke camp, raised a recent issue for a few national media members who perceived it as a red flag regarding the offense's progress (or lack thereof).

Nagy, Trubisky on the same page Bears: Nagy, Trubisky say offense is fine

The source revealed the information last week in Los Angeles, a day before Pacquiao broke camp and made the six-hour journey to Vegas.

Mayweather to watch Pacquiao-Broner fight at ringside

After a historic 4-0 loss to Everton at Goodison Park, K'Ogalo broke camp for 10 days only to resume amidst off-pitch sideshows with players protesting delayed October salaries.

Gor, Sharks brace for tough continental ties

Following the payment of treaty it was the usual custom for the staff to have a picnic with their families at the river, while the Indians broke camp and dispersed to their homes.

Hail to the chief

He remained at the team's training complex in Florida after the club broke camp and participated in extended spring training games.

Crawford out 1-3 months; Sox win again

The peace campaigners broke camp only this week, and the old bags had the nerve to suggest that they made this world a safer place.