break off

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Should we leave NATO? Should we close American bases? Should we break off trade relations? Should we storm McDonald’s?”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

When ovarian cancer develops, cancer cells break off from the tumor.

From Science Daily • Feb. 9, 2026

In midsentence, she’d suddenly break off to excitedly note a young kestrel flying near the crossing or a honeybee foraging among some early flowers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026

The pair were later pictured together in Central Park in New York in December 2010 in a meeting Andrew claimed in his 2019 Newsnight interview was to break off their friendship.

From BBC • Oct. 31, 2025

The oven was probably already heating—that was something the house spirit took care of—so all Anya had to do was break off a piece of the dough to save a yeast culture for next week.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack