break the news — to tell someone some important news, usually bad news
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to tell someone some important news, usually bad news
Pronunciation (IPA): /breɪk ðə nuːz/
Example Sentences
- Mom asked Dad to break the news about our pet goldfish's 'promotion to angel fish status.'
- I had to break the news to my boss that I accidentally sent the confidential report to our biggest competitor.
- The teacher decided to break the news about the surprise test by writing 'SURPRISE!' on the board with a smiley face.
break the news
VERB[/breɪk ðə nuːz/]
to tell someone some important news, usually bad news
The doctor gently breaks the news to the waiting family in the hospital hallway.
Take the clues to make the views, then break the news
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The phrase 'break the news' combines Old English 'brecan' (to shatter or rupture) with 'news', derived from the plural of 'new'. The idiomatic expression developed to convey the act of disrupting silence or peace while conveying new information, suggesting that significant news interrupts the ordinary flow of events.
Breakdown
break (from Old English brecan, meaning to shatter) + the (definite article) + news (from the plural form of 'new', originally referring to new things or novelties). The metaphor of 'breaking' suggests disrupting calm or routine to impart significant information.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Mom asked Dad to break the news about our pet goldfish's 'promotion to angel fish status.'”
“I had to break the news to my boss that I accidentally sent the confidential report to our biggest competitor.”
“The teacher decided to break the news about the surprise test by writing 'SURPRISE!' on the board with a smiley face.”
“She broke the news about her promotion during dinner with her family.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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