breakout

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Word: Breakout

Part of Speech: Noun

Basic Definition: A "breakout" is an escape from a place, especially from jail or prison. It can also refer to a sudden, dramatic increase in something, such as a disease or success.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "breakout" when talking about someone escaping from confinement or referring to a sudden change or growth in a situation.

Example Sentence:

• "The prison guards were surprised by the breakout; the prisoners had planned it for months."

Advanced Usage:

• In a business context, you might say, "The startup experienced a breakout in sales after their new product launch."

Word Variants:

• Break out (phrasal verb): To escape or to suddenly start (e.g., "They broke out of prison" or "A rash may break out on your skin.")
• Breakthrough (noun): A significant development or discovery that helps to advance knowledge or progress.

Different Meanings:

1. Escape from Prison: As mentioned, it refers specifically to escaping from jail.

   • Example: "The breakout from the maximum-security prison was shocking."

2. Increase in Popularity or Success: It can also mean a sudden increase in popularity or success, like in entertainment or business.

   • Example: "The singer had a breakout hit that topped the charts."

Synonyms:

• Escape (in the context of prison)
• Eruption (in the context of sudden increase)
• Surge (referring to a rapid increase)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Break out (of something): To escape from something.

  • Example: "The prisoners managed to break out of their cell."

• Breakthrough: Although slightly different, this term refers to an important discovery or achievement.

  • Example: "The scientist made a breakthrough in cancer research."

Summary:

"Breakout" can be used in various contexts, from discussing prison escapes to describing sudden increases in success or popularity.

Academic

Noun

1. an escape from jail
   • the breakout was carefully planned

Synonyms

• break
• jailbreak
• gaolbreak
• prisonbreak
• prison-breaking