breakout

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breakout" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as describing a sudden increase in popularity, success, or a significant event that stands out from the norm. Example: "The artist's latest album was a breakout success, topping the charts within weeks of its release."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unless of course there's a breakout moment, the one spectators and players alike are still waiting for.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Voice alumnus scored a breakout hit with God Made Girls, which proved as popular as it was divisive, and her debut EP is filled with similar songs like For a Boy that take a wide-eyed approach to young love.

The Guardian - Music

High quality papers are the skeleton around which you must build a lot of breakout and coffee sessions.

The Guardian

Transparent is the first breakout hit for Amazon in its on-demand TV wars with Netflix as it seeks to persuade would-be subscribers that its streaming video service is not only about films and archive TV shows.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The star-studded 1963 epic was based on the real-life mass breakout bid from Stalag Luft III.

The Guardian

Abu Ghraib was the scene of the biggest – and most damaging – breakout in 2013, with up to 500 inmates, many of them senior jihadists handed over by the departing US military, fleeing in July of that year after the prison was stormed by Islamic State forces, who launched a simultaneous, and equally successful, raid on nearby Taji prison.

The Guardian

A Great Big World, Passenger, Hozier and Sam Smith – whose breakout slow-burner Stay With Me became an unconventional pop phenomenon – each contributed to a markedly more downbeat, moody year in music.

The Guardian - Music

By the time of that next general election, the breakout stardom of not only Kuenssberg but the entire BBC News channel could be gone.

The Guardian

I expect that the match Saturday will be as exciting as the first one, as often is the case with these two sides it comes down to who can finish their chances and right now for RSL it has been the Joao Plata show as he looks poised for a breakout year.

The Guardian - Sport

It encourages you to work out – with more than 100 exercises included – rewarding you with coins to unlock games like Pong, Super Breakout and Centipede.

The Guardian - Tech

The outgoing director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, said recently he thought Iran was developing a breakout capacity to build nuclear weapons, as an "insurance policy" against perceived foreign threats.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternative words, like "breakthrough" or "escape" depending on your intent.

Common error

Avoid using "breakout" when a simple "success" or "improvement" is more appropriate. "Breakout" implies a significant departure from a previous state, not just general progress.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "breakout" is as a noun or adjective. As a noun, it refers to an escape or a significant event. As an adjective, it describes something that leads to widespread success. Ludwig AI confirms it’s a usable term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "breakout" is a versatile term with both noun and adjective forms, commonly used to describe a sudden emergence or escape, often related to success or achievement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in various contexts. The usage ranges from describing a prison escape to a "breakout" success in the entertainment industry. Primarily found in news and formal business contexts, its register remains fairly neutral. Remembering that "breakout" suggests a significant departure from a previous state is key to using it effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major breakthrough

Emphasizes a significant discovery or achievement, often in scientific or technological fields.

sudden success

Focuses specifically on the achievement aspect, omitting the element of escape or separation.

rise to prominence

Highlights the ascent to fame or importance, applicable to individuals or entities.

rapid advancement

Highlights the speed of progress, suitable when the context involves quick improvement or development.

quantum leap

Suggests a significant and sudden advancement, implying a substantial improvement.

outbreak

Refers to a sudden occurrence or eruption, typically used for diseases or conflicts.

marked departure

Emphasizes a noticeable shift or divergence from a previous state or norm.

escape

Focuses solely on the act of leaving a confined or restrictive situation.

successful launch

Highlights the positive initiation of a product, career or an idea and its acceptance.

notable surge

Highlights a sudden increase in a market trend, such as popularity or stock price.

FAQs

How can I use "breakout" in a sentence?

You can use "breakout" to describe a sudden success, as in "Her album was a "breakout success"", or to refer to an escape, such as "a prison "jailbreak"".

What's the difference between "breakout" and "breakthrough"?

"Breakout" often implies emerging from obscurity or confinement, while ""breakthrough"" suggests overcoming an obstacle or making a significant discovery. They are similar but not always interchangeable.

What can I say instead of "breakout"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "sudden success", ""escape"", or "major breakthrough".

Is it correct to use "breakout" to describe a person's career?

Yes, it's common to use "breakout" to describe a "rise to prominence", such as "This role was his "breakout role"", meaning it significantly boosted his career.