break the news
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.
Humphrys told The Times he "staggered" back to the office after a "lavish" lunch in August 1974 - and then told to break the news that US president Richard Nixon was resigning.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
So when I called him to break the news, he started crying.
From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026
It wasn’t easy to go into Lazarus’ office to break the news about her condition after just six months on the job and a massive task ahead.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026
When Neil died in 1965, it fell to Kai to phone their parents, who were in Italy, and break the news.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025
I keep it vague because I don’t want to break the news to this bookseller that the customers he’s ringing up are dying at seventeen and eighteen.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
![]()