break off

break off idiom
  1. Stop abruptly, as in The trade talks broke off yesterday. [First half of 1300s]
  2. Separate, sever a connection, as in The baby broke off the tops of all the flowers, or The new sect has broken off from the established church. [First half of 1500s]
  3. End a relationship or friendship, as in Mary broke off her engagement to Rob. [Mid-1600s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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