Phrasal verb
break out
Meanings
to start suddenly (especially something bad or unwanted, such as a fire, fight, or disease)
to escape from a place where you are being kept, such as a prison
to suddenly show or develop something on the skin, such as a rash or sweat
Definition
To break out means to suddenly start or appear, especially something unwanted like a fire, fight, or disease.
When something breaks out, it begins suddenly and often spreads quickly. We commonly use it for events like a fire, a fight, war, or an illness. It can also mean to escape from a place such as a prison. The meaning depends on the context.
Examples
- A fire broke out in the kitchen while I was making dinner.
- A fight broke out near your seat during the concert.
- War broke out before he could return home.
- She broke out in a cold sweat when the alarm sounded.
- They tried to break out of the prison under cover of darkness.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "break out" (start suddenly) with "break up" (end a relationship or separate).
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.