break into

Definitions

1. To enter illegally or by force, especially in order to commit a crime.
   idiomatic, transitive
2. To open or begin to use.
   idiomatic, transitive
3. To successfully enter a profession or business.
   idiomatic, transitive
4. To begin suddenly.
   transitive

Equivalents

13 more languages

العربيةقرصن

Bosanskiobijatiobitiprovalitiprovaljivatiобијатиобитипровалитипроваљивати+ 5 more

Ελληνικάξεσπάω

Galegoencetar

עבריתפלשפרץ

Hrvatskiobijatiobitiprovalitiprovaljivatiобијатиобитипровалитипроваљивати+ 5 more

Magyarbetör

日本語割り込む

Latinaperfodio

Polskidobieraćdobraćdopytaćdopytywać+ 1 more

Српскиobijatiobitiprovalitiprovaljivatiобијатиобитипровалитипроваљивати+ 5 more

Svenskaforcera

Tagalogpasukin

Examples

“Somebody broke into his car and stole his tools and CDs.”

“Hackers broke into the bank's computer system and stole customer data.”

“I finally broke into the second package of cookies.”

“He hopes to break⟳ into show⟳ business.”

“The horse broke into a gallop as they neared the barn.”

“I just broke into tears while talking to my mom.”

“She broke into a smile⟳, wrenching herself away from our head physician.”

“Now, sometimes in my sorrow shut⟳, ⁠Or breaking into song by fits; ⁠Alone, alone, to where he sits, The Shadow cloak’d from head to foot Who keeps the keys of all the creeds, ⁠I wander⟳, often falling lame, […]”

“Then, as usual, the sheep broke into "Four legs good, two legs bad!" and the momentary awkwardness was smoothed over.”

“That struck me as hilarious, and I broke into hysterical giggles. And once I began, I couldn’t stop⟳. I laughed until I was gasping for breath, tears streaming down my face⟳.”

CEFR level