break into
English
Pronunciation
Audio (AU): (file)
Verb
break into (third-person singular simple present breaks into, present participle breaking into, simple past broke into, past participle broken into)
- (transitive, idiomatic) To enter illegally or by force, especially in order to commit a crime.
- Somebody broke into his car and stole his tools and CDs.
- Hackers broke into the bank's computer system and stole customer data.
- (transitive, idiomatic) To open or begin to use.
- I finally broke into the second package of cookies.
- (transitive, idiomatic) To successfully enter a profession or business.
- He hopes to break into show business.
- (transitive) To begin suddenly.
- The horse broke into a gallop as they neared the barn.
- 1943 November – 1944 February (date written; published 1945 August 17), George Orwell [pseudonym; Eric Arthur Blair], Animal Farm […], London: Secker & Warburg, published May 1962, →OCLC:
- Then, as usual, the sheep broke into "Four legs good, two legs bad!" and the momentary awkwardness was smoothed over.
Translations
to enter illegally
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