Phrase guide

break into

verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To enter illegally or by force, especially in order to commit a crime.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • Somebody broke into his car and stole his tools and CDs.
  • Hackers broke into the bank's computer system and stole customer data.
  • His house was broken into only last week.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To open or begin to use.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • I finally broke into the second package of cookies.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To successfully enter a profession or business.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • He hopes to break into show business.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To begin suddenly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • The horse broke into a gallop as they neared the barn.
  • I just broke into tears while talking to my mom.
  • She broke into song.
  • She broke into a smile, wrenching herself away from our head physician.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

change pace

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The dancers broke into a cha-cha
  • The horse broke into a gallop

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change

6

verb

Meaning 6

express or utter spontaneously

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • break into a yodel
  • break into a song
  • break into tears

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: utter, emit, let out, let loose

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

27 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Galician: asaltar — to enter illegally
  • Galician: irromper — to enter illegally
  • German: einbrechen — to enter illegally
  • German: eindringen — to enter illegally
  • Hungarian: betör — to enter illegally
  • Māori: maoho — to enter illegally
  • Russian: вломи́ться (vlomítʹsja) — to enter illegally
  • Russian: вла́мываться (vlámyvatʹsja) — to enter illegally
  • Spanish: forzar la entrada — to enter illegally
  • Spanish: violentar — to enter illegally
  • Spanish: descerrajar — to enter illegally
  • Spanish: irrumpir — to enter illegally
  • Tagalog: pasukin — to enter illegally
  • Galician: encetar — to open, to tear sth. open
  • German: anbrechen — to open, to tear sth. open
  • German: aufreißen — to open, to tear sth. open
  • Galician: encetar — to begin to use
  • German: anbrechen — to begin to use
  • German: anfangen — to begin to use
  • German: anbrauchen — to begin to use
  • Galician: introducirse en — to successfully enter a profession or business
  • German: einsteigen — to successfully enter a profession or business
  • Galician: botarse — to begin suddenly
  • German: ausbrechen — to begin suddenly
  • German: fallen — to begin suddenly
  • German: verfallen — to begin suddenly
  • Spanish: romper — to begin suddenly