🇬🇧 Break meaning: English Vocabulary Flash Card

To "break" a law, rule, or promise means you do not do what you are supposed to do or what you said you would do. When you break a rule or promise, you are not following it, even though it was made to be followed.

I told my plant I’d never break the promise to water it, then forgot for a week and it started leaning away from me like, "Traitor."

I promised not to complain on the hike, then broke that promise every five steps with a dramatic, "Are we there yet?"

I promised myself I wouldn’t press the big red button, then broke it in 0.2 seconds because it looked so pressable.

Dad promised not to break the rule about eating my Halloween candy, but the empty wrappers proved otherwise.

My little brother swore he’d never tell my secrets, then broke that promise in front of the whole family like a live news broadcast.

Jon promised his mother he would not break the rule about the roof. At night his friends asked him to climb. He did break his promise. He did break the rule. He did break part of the roof and cut his hand, and he did break her trust. He sat and waited for his mother.

This word is at the B2 level, which means it’s used in more complex conversations and texts. It helps you discuss abstract ideas, express opinions clearly, and engage in discussions on a variety of topics, both personal and professional.

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