break out of

USAGE SUMMARY

"break out of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean breaking away from a difficult or bad situation, or breaking away from an enclosed space. Example: "We had to break out of the prison for our escape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To break out of his April malaise, Teixeira worked harder.

The New York Times - Sports

There are two ways to break out of poverty.

Independent

There are ways to break out of these traps.

Forbes

So I break out of it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I never break out of character.

The New York Times - Travel

Can he break out of that slump?

The Guardian - Sport

We need to break out of that.

The Guardian

Can we break out of that?

The New York Times

So how do we break out of the negative cycle?

University of California, Berkeley

It's time to break out of the 1986 paradigm.

The New York Times

Attempts to break out of isolation have fared little better.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "break out of" to convey a sense of overcoming confinement, whether physical or metaphorical. It emphasizes the act of escaping a restrictive situation.

Common error

Avoid using "break out of" interchangeably with phrasal verbs like "break down" or "break in". "Break out of" specifically implies escaping or surpassing a confined state, while others have different meanings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "break out of" is as a phrasal verb. Ludwig examples show it describing actions of escaping confinement, or surpassing limitations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "break out of" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe escaping or surpassing a confined or restrictive situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It's frequently found in news and media, as well as academic writing, and is suitable for neutral register. When using this phrase, remember that it specifically implies escaping or surpassing a confined state, and should not be confused with other phrasal verbs. Consider alternatives like "escape from" or "emerge from" depending on the context. The prevalence and range of examples within Ludwig solidify its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

break free from

Similar to "break out of" but places more emphasis on the freedom gained after escaping a restrictive situation. The word "free" accentuates the liberation.

escape from

Focuses on physical or metaphorical escape from confinement or a difficult situation. It's a more direct synonym emphasizing the act of getting away.

emerge from

Suggests a gradual coming out or development from a previous state. It implies a less forceful or sudden change than "break out of".

free oneself from

Emphasizes the act of liberation and gaining independence. It highlights the personal effort involved in escaping a restrictive condition.

move beyond

Focuses on surpassing limitations or challenges. It suggests progress and development beyond a current constraint.

rise above

Implies overcoming difficulties and achieving a superior position. It highlights resilience and the ability to transcend challenges.

get out of

A more colloquial alternative, suggesting the act of extricating oneself from an undesirable situation or obligation.

overcome

Highlights the act of successfully dealing with and conquering a problem or obstacle, implying a direct confrontation with the limiting factor.

transcend

Suggests going beyond the normal limits of something, often implying a spiritual or intellectual elevation.

leave behind

Focuses on abandoning or forsaking something from the past, often suggesting a conscious decision to move forward.

FAQs

How can I use "break out of" in a sentence?

You can use "break out of" to describe escaping a physical space (e.g., "They had to break out of the prison") or a metaphorical situation (e.g., "She wanted to break out of her routine").

What's the difference between "break out of" and "get out of"?

"Break out of" often implies escaping a confined or restrictive situation, while "get out of" is more general and can refer to avoiding a task or obligation.

What are some alternatives to "break out of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "escape from", "emerge from", or "free oneself from".

Is "breaking out of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "breaking out of" is the present participle form and is grammatically correct when used as a verb in continuous tenses or as a gerund (e.g., "Breaking out of the cycle of poverty requires significant effort").