broke into dance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broke into dance" is correct and usable in written English.
It generally refers to a situation where someone unexpectedly begins to dance. For example, "As soon as the first notes of the song started, he broke into dance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Mr. Paul's supporters also broke into dance occasionally, swaying to a recording of "Ron Paul, Ron Paul" that was warbled by a Frank Sinatra impersonator to the tune of "New York, New York".

The New York Times

Ms. Fields, the Manhattan borough president, who broke into dance amid the cheering, said she would pay particular attention to the needs of women, working to improve their health care and economic opportunities, while addressing the wider concerns of city residents.

The New York Times

It isn't really my fault I broke into dance while listening to my new favorite music.

Huffington Post

As soon as we parked my friends jumped out of the van and broke into dance for about ten minutes.

Vice

I loved the party atmosphere, as did the models, who broke into dance mid strut down the catwalk -- Jourdan Dunn and Vivienne Westwood to name but a few.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The drumbeats were relentless, and those in the vicinity were quick to break into dance.

The Guardian - Sport

The hosts discuss issues of interest to Latinos before breaking into dance routines.

The New York Times

— VICTOR MATHER The stewards who stand in rows to divide athletes into sections periodically break into dance.

The New York Times

When the drink goes to one's head, he may suddenly break into dance, followed by others.

The Guardian

"We need to break into dance, said Williams, "it's the pump, pump, pump of our beating hearts".

The Guardian

After all, people in the show are still breaking into dance and song, not typical behavior for anyone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "broke into dance" to vividly describe a moment when someone unexpectedly starts dancing, adding energy and spontaneity to your narrative. It's particularly effective when contrasting it with a previous state of stillness or seriousness.

Common error

Be mindful that "broke into dance" is an idiom, not a literal breaking. Avoid using it in contexts where a physical breaking action is implied, as this can confuse the reader. Instead, ensure the context clearly indicates the spontaneous start of dancing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broke into dance" functions as a verb phrase, describing a sudden or spontaneous action. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct. It depicts the moment someone begins to dance unexpectedly.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broke into dance" is a grammatically correct and vivid phrase used to describe the sudden commencement of dancing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in News & Media contexts, conveying spontaneity and energy. While relatively rare, its effectiveness in illustrating an abrupt transition into dancing makes it a useful idiom for writers. Consider alternatives like "suddenly started dancing" or "launched into a dance" for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suddenly started dancing

Replaces "broke into" with a more straightforward description of the action's commencement.

spontaneously began to dance

Emphasizes the unplanned and impulsive nature of the dancing.

launched into a dance

Uses "launched" to highlight the sudden and energetic start of the dance.

burst into dance

Employs "burst" to indicate a sudden and forceful start to dancing.

commenced dancing abruptly

Replaces "broke into" with a more formal and descriptive phrase, highlighting the unexpected nature of the action.

abruptly began dancing

Focuses on the suddenness of the action with "abruptly".

unexpectedly began to dance

Highlights the surprise element of the dancing's initiation.

outbreak of dancing

Describes it as an eruption or sudden start of dancing.

started dancing on the spot

Highlights that the dance started in that exact location and right away.

started dancing all of a sudden

Replaces "broke into" with a more colloquial expression, emphasizing the suddenness.

FAQs

How can I use "broke into dance" in a sentence?

Use "broke into dance" to describe an unexpected start to dancing. For instance, "As the music started, the crowd "broke into dance"" or "Despite his initial hesitation, he "broke into dance" when his favorite song played".

What are some alternatives to "broke into dance"?

Alternatives include "suddenly started dancing", "spontaneously began to dance", or "launched into a dance", each emphasizing the sudden or unplanned nature of the dancing.

Is "broke into dance" formal or informal?

"Broke into dance" is generally considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both informal and formal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding tone and style of the writing.

What's the difference between "broke into dance" and "started dancing"?

"Broke into dance" implies a more sudden and perhaps unexpected commencement of dancing, while "started dancing" is a more general and neutral description of the action beginning.