Definition

Verb (transitive) To end something abruptly or prematurely, before its natural conclusion or intended duration.

Usage

The verb phrase "break short" is used to describe the action of terminating an activity, event, or state suddenly and earlier than expected. It implies an interruption that prevents completion.

Examples

• The director had to break short the rehearsal due to a fire alarm.
• Bad weather forced the organizers to break short the outdoor concert.
• He broke short his story when he noticed no one was listening.

Advanced Usage

• Passive Voice: Often used in the passive voice to describe the state of the interrupted thing.
  • The meeting was broken short by an urgent phone call.
• Figurative Use: Can be applied to abstract concepts like silence, a train of thought, or a career.
  • A sudden laugh broke short the tense silence in the room.

Variants and Related Words

• Cut short: A very common synonym with identical meaning and usage.
  • We cut short our trip when we heard the news.
• Break off: Can be a synonym, but often implies stopping temporarily with the possibility of resumption.
  • He broke off the conversation to answer the door.
• Abort: To terminate something, especially a process or mission, usually due to problems.
• Curtail: To reduce or limit something, often in duration or extent.

Synonyms

• Interrupt
• Terminate prematurely
• Abort
• Curtail
• Halt

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Break off: To stop suddenly, often a conversation or relationship.
  • She broke off their engagement.
• Break up: To cause something to separate into pieces or to end a gathering.
  • The police broke up the fight.

Related Idioms

• Put a stop to: To cause something to end.
  • The new law put a stop to the illegal activity.
• Call it a day: To decide to stop working on something for the time being.
  • We were tired, so we decided to call it a day.

Verb

1. interrupt before its natural or planned end
   • We had to cut short our vacation