break in upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break in upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of interrupting someone or something, often in a sudden or intrusive manner. Example: "I didn't mean to break in upon their conversation, but I had an urgent question that needed to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Iulia is buried on the hillside, and nothing else changed because of her presence: but the modern world is about to break in upon Mandragora rudely and thoroughly.

The New York Times - Books

Such considerations as the impact of his head on the water or on one of the stone piers of the bridge, his paralyzing sudden stagefright in front of that eminent audience, or helplessly sinking did not break in upon his idée fixe.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Break Ins.

WikiHow

Then: The awe and the fear of the New World broke in upon him.

The New Yorker

In 1866, the hospital's superintendent described psychosis as a "waking dream, which, if not broken in upon, works mischief to the brain," and wrote that the goal of treatment was to "interfere with this world of self scatter its creations and fancies and people it with objects and thoughts foreign to its own".

The New Yorker

On the tidal river there are also 9 rail bridges and 19 road bridges (most of which also accommodate pedestrians)." Here and elsewhere, the experience of reading "Thames" jars, as if fact-loving Mr. Gradgrind had broken in upon a class devoted to the splendidly unfettered rantings of Robert Graves's "White Goddess".

The New York Times - Books

In 1866, the hospital's superintendent described psychosis as a "waking dream, which, if not broken in upon, works mischief to the brain," and wrote that the goal of treatment was to "interfere with this world of self — scatter its creations and fancies and people it with objects and thoughts foreign to its own".

The New Yorker

And yet as soon as I said that, something (hope? the thing with wings?) broke in upon me -- God is here.

Huffington Post

McLean died with most of his crew after being hit by anti-aircraft fire and ditching into the sea, a notoriously risky operation in the Liberator owing to the fuselage's tendency to break in two upon striking the water.

Wikipedia

Resting membrane potential was measured immediately upon break-in.

eLife

Access resistance (Ra) was <25 MΩ upon break-in; data obtained from a given cell were rejected if Ra changed by >20% during the course of the experiment.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "break in upon" to describe a sudden or intrusive interruption, especially when emphasizing the disruption caused.

Common error

Avoid using "break in upon" when a simpler verb like "interrupt" or "intrude" is more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or archaic.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "break in upon" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of interrupting or intruding, usually in a sudden or disruptive manner. Ludwig shows this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "break in upon" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a sudden or intrusive interruption. Ludwig indicates that its usage appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While considered acceptable for use, it's relatively rare. Alternatives like "interrupt" or "intrude" might be more appropriate in certain contexts to avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interrupt

Focuses on the act of stopping someone or something temporarily.

intrude on

Emphasizes the act of entering someone's space or privacy without permission.

disturb

Highlights the act of disrupting someone's peace or concentration.

encroach upon

Suggests a gradual intrusion or infringement on someone's rights or territory.

barge in

Conveys a sudden and forceful interruption.

butt in

Implies an impolite or unwanted interruption in a conversation.

chime in

Suggests a brief and often welcome interruption to add a comment.

cut in

Indicates an abrupt interruption, often in a conversation.

break into

Focuses on entering a place illegally, differing from the original meaning.

interfere with

Highlights the act of hindering or obstructing something.

FAQs

What does "break in upon" mean?

The phrase "break in upon" means to interrupt or intrude on something, often suddenly or unexpectedly. It can also imply a disruption of peace or order.

How can I use "break in upon" in a sentence?

You might say, "I didn't mean to "interrupt", but I had to break in upon their meeting with an urgent message." /s/interrupt

What's the difference between "break in upon" and "interrupt"?

"Interrupt" is a more general term for stopping someone or something temporarily. "Break in upon" often suggests a more forceful or intrusive interruption.

Are there any alternatives to "break in upon" that are less formal?

Yes, you can use phrases like "butt in", "chime in", or simply ""interrupt"" depending on the context. /s/interrupt /s/butt+in /s/chime+in