break out
Definition
- Verb (intransitive):
- To escape, especially from a confined place: To get free suddenly from a place of detention or restriction.
- To begin suddenly and often violently or forcefully: To start abruptly, especially something unpleasant like a war, fire, or disease.
- To develop skin eruptions or rashes: To appear on the skin, such as pimples, hives, or a rash.
- To take something out for use: To remove something from storage or containment so it can be used.
Usage and Examples
- Escape:
- The prisoners managed to break out of the high-security jail.
- Several animals broke out of their enclosures during the storm.
- Begin suddenly:
- Fighting broke out between the rival factions.
- A fire broke out in the old warehouse last night.
- Develop skin condition:
- I always break out in a rash when I'm nervous.
- Her face breaks out if she uses that brand of soap.
- Take from storage:
- We should break out the champagne to celebrate.
- He broke out his best suit for the interview.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "break out in a cold sweat": To suddenly begin sweating due to fear, anxiety, or illness.
- Just thinking about the exam makes him break out in a cold sweat.
- "break out into": Often followed by a noun describing a sudden action or state, like laughter, song, or applause.
- The crowd broke out into cheers when the team scored.
Variants and Related Words
- Breakout (noun): An escape, or a sudden occurrence. Also used as an adjective to describe sudden, notable success (e.g., a breakout role).
- There was a major prison breakout.
- She had her breakout performance in that film.
- Outbreak (noun): A sudden occurrence, especially of disease or conflict.
- An outbreak of flu closed the school.
Synonyms
- Escape: flee, get away.
- Begin: erupt, flare up, commence.
- Erupt (on skin): appear, flare up.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Break out in: To be suddenly covered in something (sweat, a rash, hives).
- He broke out in hives after eating the shellfish.
- Break out of: To escape from a physical place or a habitual pattern.
- She wanted to break out of her daily routine.
Related Idioms
- "Break out the big guns": To use the most powerful or effective resources available.
- If they don't agree, we'll have to break out the big guns and call the CEO.
- "Break out in a smile": To suddenly start smiling.
- Her stern face finally broke out in a smile.
Verb
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become raw or open
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He broke out in hives
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My skin breaks out when I eat strawberries
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Such boils tend to recrudesce
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take from stowage in preparation for use
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move away or escape suddenly
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The horses broke from the stable
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Three inmates broke jail
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Nobody can break out--this prison is high security
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begin suddenly and sometimes violently
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He broke out shouting
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start abruptly
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After 1989, peace broke out in the former East Bloc
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