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Maria
break off vs break up
What's the difference?
Oct 16, 2013 6:53 PM
Answers · 5
1
"Break up" means to separate into pieces or parts. A class can break up for the holidays, or you can break up bread. A couple ending their relationship break up.
"Break off" can literally mean that you break the end off something, eg. break off the end of a baguette, or it can mean that you end something suddenly without completing the original plan. For example, you break off an engagement (ie. sudden separation, no wedding) or break off a meeting.
If there's an object in the sentence, this also affects the meaning of the phrasal verb.
October 16, 2013
People break up.
You break off a relationship.
That's the difference.
October 16, 2013
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Maria
Language Skills
English, Spanish
Learning Language
English
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