broke over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broke over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has suddenly or dramatically changed, often in a context of an event or situation that has occurred. Example: "The storm broke over the town, bringing heavy rain and strong winds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Suddenly, having this time read the poem backward, its full beauty broke over my head.

The New Yorker

At the exit point, he and McDonnell watched the desert turn from blue to pink as day broke over Dubai.

The New York Times - Magazine

Critics might not get it at first, but none of us would go broke over a flop".

The New York Times

The rising lake eventually broke over and through the chalk dam and rapidly drained in a catastrophic flood about 450,000 years ago.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As well as keeping Boeing Commercial profitable amid the storm that broke over aviation in 2001, he also managed to recapture the market leadership lost to Airbus.

The Economist

My Ultimate Ears headphones broke over Christmas break and they're still broken.

TechCrunch

Strong waves broke over sea walls in Charleston, spilling floodwaters onto coastal streets and homes.

Wikipedia

He's divorced and going broke over paying the stabling fees on his daughter's horse.

Vice

But some of those filters wore out or broke over time.

Vice

There, strong waves broke over the seawall, and caused heavy flood damage to some of the town's old buildings.

Wikipedia

As dawn broke over Kiev, the police retreated.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broke over" to describe sudden, impactful events or strong emotional experiences. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being overwhelmed or affected.

Common error

Avoid using "broke over" to describe gradual or static situations. It's best suited for instances where there's a clear sense of sudden and overwhelming change, not continuous states.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broke over" functions as an intransitive phrasal verb, often describing a sudden or dramatic change or impact. It is used to indicate that something has occurred unexpectedly and with considerable force or effect, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "broke over" effectively conveys a sense of sudden and impactful change, particularly in describing events or emotional experiences. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in news and media sources. While versatile, it's best suited for contexts where a clear sense of overwhelming force or abrupt change is intended. When considering alternatives, phrases like "swept across" or "descended on" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Avoid using it in static situations; reserve it for instances where the impact is both sudden and considerable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swept across

Expresses a more general sense of movement or impact, often used for widespread events.

came upon

Implies a sudden arrival or discovery, less forceful than "broke over".

descended on

Conveys a sense of something coming down or arriving, possibly with a negative connotation.

passed over

Indicates movement across or above something, often without a significant impact.

washed over

Suggests being overwhelmed by a feeling or sensation.

overwhelmed

Focuses on the effect of being overcome by something, rather than the action of breaking.

erupted over

Implies a sudden and violent outbreak or expression of something.

occurred suddenly

A more generic way to describe an event happening without warning.

burst forth

Emphasizes a forceful emergence or release.

ensued

Describes something that follows as a consequence or result.

FAQs

How can I use "broke over" in a sentence?

Use "broke over" to describe something that suddenly and forcefully impacts or overwhelms a situation or person. For example, "The scandal "broke over" the politician's career, ending it abruptly."

What can I say instead of "broke over"?

You can use alternatives like "swept across", "came upon", or "descended on" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the news broke over the internet"?

While understandable, a more precise phrasing might be "The news "spread across" the internet" or "The news "went viral on" the internet", as "broke over" typically implies a more forceful and impactful event.

What's the difference between "broke over" and "washed over"?

"Broke over" suggests a sudden and often destructive impact, while "washed over" implies a more gradual or encompassing experience, often related to emotions or feelings.