Phrases & Expressions

To recover quickly after a difficult time, an illness or a failure.

• She bounced back after her illness.
• The economy is starting to bounce back.

Said to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.

• Break a leg tonight on stage!
• Break a leg in your exam tomorrow!

To lose control of your feelings and suddenly start crying.

• She broke down crying when she heard the news.
• He broke down crying at the funeral.

To suddenly start crying.

• When the little boy lost his balloon, he broke into tears.
• He broke into tears at the news.

To begin suddenly, usually something bad.

• A fire broke out in the kitchen.
• War broke out in 1914.

To make someone feel extremely sad or disappointed.

• Don't tell her the bad news; you'll break her heart.
• His constant criticism broke her heart.

To stop a repeating pattern of negative behavior or events.

• She decided to break the cycle of unhealthy eating.
• Therapy helped him break the cycle of addiction.

To be the first to tell someone about something important, often something unpleasant.

• Samantha and Michael are engaged, but they haven't yet broken the news to their parents.
• You'd better break the news to your father gently — you don't want him to have a heart attack.

Very early in the morning, often implying alert and ready for the day.

• Our flight leaves at 7 a.m., so we must get up bright and early.
• We have lots of cookies to bake, so we'll start bright and early tomorrow.

To provide facts or objects that show something is true or happened.

• Can you bring evidence to support your claim?
• The lawyer brought evidence to the court.