break away from

USAGE SUMMARY

"break away from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to mean separating yourself from something that is holding you back or causing problems. For example: "After years of struggling to make a living, I decided to break away from the corporate world and start my own business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Could they break away from Scotland?

The Economist

Break away from the past.

Harvard Business Review

I want to break away from being an apartment commodity.

The New York Times

"Sometimes you have to break away from family.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was hard to break away from those familiar faces.

The New York Times

His solution is to break away from the farmers' coöperative, much as Don would later break away from one community after another.

The New Yorker

Take a 5-minute break away from your workstation every 1/2 hour!

University of California, Berkeley

A Stanford scholar explains why we must break away from employer-sponsored insurance.

Stanford University

Can you break away from the lines that have been drawn?

Cornell University

It can be difficult to break away from the grip of materialism, but it is possible.

University of California, Berkeley

Ways really allows you to break away from your specialized field of study.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "break away from" when you want to emphasize a deliberate effort to leave behind something restrictive, negative, or unwanted. For example, a musician might "break away from" genre conventions to create a unique sound.

Common error

Avoid using "break away from" when a simpler verb like 'leave' or 'separate' suffices. Overusing phrasal verbs can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. For example, instead of "He decided to break away from the group", consider "He decided to leave the group".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break away from" functions as a separable phrasal verb, indicating the act of separating or freeing oneself from something. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across different contexts, confirming its role in expressing separation or departure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "break away from" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb that signifies separating or distancing oneself from something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and applicable in numerous contexts. The phrase finds frequent use in News & Media, Academia, and Science, and it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal writing. When aiming for clarity and impact, consider alternatives like "detach oneself from" or "separate oneself from" to fine-tune the desired nuance. Ensure the context warrants the phrasal verb's weight; simpler verbs may sometimes be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separate oneself from

A more general term for creating distance or distinction.

distance oneself from

Highlights the act of creating emotional or physical space.

detach oneself from

Focuses on a deliberate action of separating from something, emphasizing personal agency.

withdraw from

Suggests a retreat or pulling back from involvement.

disentangle oneself from

Emphasizes the act of freeing oneself from a complex or difficult situation.

extract oneself from

Implies a more forceful or difficult removal from a situation.

opt out of

Specifically refers to making a choice not to participate.

divorce oneself from

Suggests a formal or decisive separation, often used in a more serious context.

liberate oneself from

Similar to "emancipate", but can also refer to freeing something else.

emancipate oneself from

Conveys a sense of liberation or freedom from constraints.

FAQs

What does "break away from" mean?

The phrase "break away from" means to separate oneself from something, often implying a deliberate effort to leave behind something restrictive, negative, or unwanted.

How can I use "break away from" in a sentence?

You can use "break away from" to describe physical separation (e.g., "The runner broke away from the pack") or to describe a change in behavior or affiliation (e.g., "She decided to "detach herself from" her former political party").

What are some alternatives to "break away from"?

Some alternatives include "separate oneself from", "distance oneself from", "detach oneself from", or "withdraw from", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "break away from" or "break with"?

While both imply separation, "break away from" often suggests a gradual or progressive separation, while "break with" implies a more sudden or decisive rupture. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.