break anchor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break anchor" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a nautical context to refer to the action of lifting the anchor of a ship to set sail. Example: "As the sun rose, the captain ordered the crew to break anchor and head towards the open sea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Real Detroit reports that Navarro's new band Break Anchor will be performing with Child Bite, Snakewing, Drunk Dom & the Roaches and Wrist Rocket.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Note that the reverse pattern is very rare because the centromeric break anchors the proximal part to acceptor chromosomes.

Carcinogenesis

And now the broken anchor rods have Caltrans and Bay Area Toll Authority officials casting about for explanations, and engineers pondering a fix.

University of California, Berkeley

The fleet was left at anchor at an even and open shore, Caesar wrote, but a high tide combined with a storm to wreak havoc on the ships, which broke anchor and smashed into one another.

The Guardian

The San Esteban findings included three broken anchors and a wrought iron swivel gun that was also broken and unusable.

Wikipedia

After a commercial break, an anchor on a similar set in Maryland presents national and international news, which is also delivered live to other Sinclair stations around the country with a graphic that labels it "News Central".

The New York Times

An imposing man, he wields a large harpoon in battle; in his Limit Break, Massive Anchor, he uses it to crush his opponents from above.

Wikipedia

Over the summer, MSNBC scrapped its left-leaning afternoon lineup and made Brian Williams a breaking-news anchor, after his half-year suspension from NBC News.

The New York Times

During the break the anchors moved over to the one corner of the studio that still had light and power.

The New York Times

In June, Mr. Lack announced that Mr. Williams would not return to the "NBC Nightly News," but instead would go to MSNBC, in a role as a breaking news anchor.

The New York Times

He will have a new and so far vaguely defined role — breaking-news anchor — as part of NBC's effort to give low-rated MSNBC a newsier makeover during daylight hours.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "break anchor", ensure the context clearly involves nautical activities or situations related to ships and sailing. Consider using alternative phrases like "weigh anchor" or "lift anchor" for better clarity in non-nautical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "break anchor" in metaphorical contexts where it doesn't relate to ships or anchors. This phrase is typically literal; metaphorical use can be confusing. Instead, opt for phrases that clearly convey the intended meaning in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break anchor" functions as a verb phrase where "break" acts as a transitive verb taking "anchor" as its direct object. The phrase describes the action of dislodging and raising a ship's anchor from the seabed. Ludwig confirms its usage in nautical contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

20%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "break anchor" is a nautical term that describes the act of raising a ship's anchor, with the intention of setting sail. Ludwig's analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct but rarely used. It is appropriate for describing nautical activities and has a neutral register. When communicating the action of freeing an anchor, bear in mind the specific nautical context to ensure clarity or choose alternative phrases such as "weigh anchor" and "lift anchor". Overall, while grammatically sound, "break anchor" requires careful contextual application to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weigh anchor

Focuses on the act of lifting the anchor, synonymous with preparing to set sail.

lift anchor

Similar to weigh anchor, emphasizing the physical action of raising the anchor.

raise the anchor

A more descriptive way of saying lift anchor.

release the anchor

Similar to break anchor, concentrating on the action of freeing the anchor.

set sail

Describes the action that follows breaking anchor, focusing on the departure.

pull up the anchor

Simple way of saying lift anchor.

hoist the anchor

Emphasizing the mechanical action of hoisting the anchor.

cast off

Indicates the release of mooring lines in preparation for departure.

get underway

Describes the start of a ship's journey after being anchored.

unmoor the ship

Emphasizes releasing the ship from its fixed position.

FAQs

What does "break anchor" mean in nautical terms?

In nautical terms, "break anchor" refers to the act of lifting the anchor from the seabed, allowing a ship to set sail or move freely. It's synonymous with phrases like "weigh anchor" or "raise anchor".

When is it appropriate to use "break anchor" in writing?

Use "break anchor" when specifically discussing nautical activities or ship movements. In more general contexts, consider using alternatives like "begin a journey" or "start moving" to avoid confusion.

Is "break anchor" the same as "drop anchor"?

No, "break anchor" and "drop anchor" have opposite meanings. "Drop anchor" means to lower the anchor to secure a ship, while "break anchor" means to lift the anchor to set the ship in motion or set sail.

Are there any modern alternatives to the phrase "break anchor"?

While "break anchor" is traditional, modern alternatives include "lift anchor", "weigh anchor", or simply stating that the ship "set sail". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context.