break into — to enter a building illegally by using force
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to enter a building illegally by using force
Pronunciation (IPA): /breɪk ˈɪntuː/
Example Sentences
- My cat broke into my neighbor's house and ate their goldfish - now I owe them a new pet!
- After practicing for months, he finally broke into professional gaming.
- When she saw the surprise party, she broke into tears of joy.
break into
VERB[/breɪk ˈɪntuː/]
to enter a building illegally by using force

Two masked thieves break into a jewelry shop through the back window at midnight.

Try to break into, get caught and taken into custody, then make into a better person!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrasal verb combines Old English 'brecan' (to break, shatter) with Middle English 'into' (toward the interior of), originally meaning to forcibly penetrate a barrier and enter. The compound developed to express the action of gaining unauthorized or forceful entry into a space, system, or activity.
Breakdown
break (Old English 'brecan', to shatter or rupture) + into (Middle English preposition meaning toward the interior), together forming a phrasal verb indicating forceful entry or sudden commencement of an action.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat broke into my neighbor's house and ate their goldfish - now I owe them a new pet!”
“After practicing for months, he finally broke into professional gaming.”
“When she saw the surprise party, she broke into tears of joy.”
“The police broke into the abandoned warehouse to search for evidence.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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