break off
Snap and separate
To break off is to detach a piece from something larger: She broke off a piece of chocolate.
It also means to end abruptly—a conversation breaks off mid-sentence, negotiations break off when talks collapse.
You break off an engagement or relationship by ending it decisively.
The phrase suggests sudden discontinuation rather than gradual winding down.
To stop doing
- stopCease all motion
- ceaseTo discontinue activity
- haltComplete sudden stop
- suspendHalt or hang temporarily
abort · cut short · abandon · withdraw · cancel · interrupt · drop · quit
Sudden sharp sound
- crackNarrow break or attempt
- splinterThin sharp fragment
- chipSmall broken-off piece
- fragmentIncomplete portion of whole
shatter · rupture · piece · shard · breakage · crumble · split · fracturing
To set apart
- disconnectTo break a connection
- disengageBreak free from attachment
- severCut apart completely
- removeTake something away
unfasten · come apart · disentangle · loosen · release · extricate · uncouple · cleave
Final portion or cessation
- split upSever a union
- estrangementEmotional separation between people
- separationState of being apart
- alienationState of being isolated
discord · rift · parting · falling out · disunion · severing ties · distance · rupture
discontinue
To stop doing
suspend · abort · cut short · abandon · withdraw · cancel · interrupt · drop · quit · walk away
snap
Sudden sharp sound
fragment · shatter · rupture · piece · shard · breakage · crumble · split · fracturing · brittle
separate
To set apart
- disconnectTo break a connection
- disengageBreak free from attachment
- severCut apart completely
remove · unfasten · come apart · disentangle · loosen · release · extricate · uncouple · cleave · partition
end
Final portion or cessation
- split upSever a union
- estrangementEmotional separation between people
- separationState of being apart
alienation · discord · rift · parting · falling out · disunion · severing ties · distance · rupture · breach
pause
Temporary cessation of activity
tangent · aside · interjection
- disconnectingdetaching, disconnect, disengaging, detach, disconnecting
- breakbreakaway, breakthrough, breakup, jailbreak, daybreak
- finishfinish, complete, conclude, end, finalize
- disconnectiondisconnection, unplug, detach, sever, separation
- Snookersnooker, cue, cue ball, pot, pocket
- unfasteningunfasten, detach, disconnect, unbuckle, unbutton
break offcontinue
Go on without stopping
carry on · keep going · persist · maintain · sustain
off, break, broken, broke, breaking, breakdown, break up, breaks, unbreakable