making a break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making a break" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to taking a break or escaping from a situation. Example: "After months of hard work, she decided it was time for making a break and traveling." Alternative expressions include "taking a break" and "breaking away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Jonny May making a break.

The Guardian - Sport

I would tell him to wait till the end of a race before making a break.

The New Yorker

"That's why he's world number one, making a break like that when he's on the rack".

The Guardian - Sport

He made a video for Leela, before making a break for Canada.

The Guardian

In his memoir, he recalled making a break from the lines.

The Washington Post

But, as Rudy reached school age, Harold began to consider making a break from Brooklyn and his criminal associations there.

The New Yorker

It was like they'd just climbed over the perimeter fence and they were making a break for the city.

The New Yorker

Then the wild-eyed monkey dashes across the inside cover and following pages, making a break for his banana.

The New York Times

So Trump's claims about Carson supporters making a break for Cruz following the rumors of Carson's exit aren't implausible.

The Guardian

Other children had been told to find a buddy before making a break for it, and did.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is a common refrain from bankers that the euro area no longer functions as a single financial market, although that has the paradoxical advantage of making a break-up less destructive.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "making a break" to describe a strategic move or escape, consider the tone you wish to convey. "Making a break for it" suggests urgency, while "making a break with tradition" implies a deliberate, potentially controversial decision.

Common error

Avoid hyphenating the phrase as "break-making" unless it's functioning as a compound adjective directly preceding a noun. Otherwise, use the open form "making a break".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making a break" primarily functions as a gerund or present participle phrase, often acting as a noun or part of a verb phrase. Ludwig examples show its versatility in describing actions of escaping or initiating a change. It suggests an ongoing process or attempt to separate from a situation or tradition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Sport

21%

General

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "making a break" is a versatile phrase used to describe both physical escapes and figurative departures from established norms. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and very common in contemporary English, appearing frequently in news, sports, and general contexts. When using "making a break", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, whether it's the urgency of "making a break for it" or the deliberate shift implied by "making a break with tradition". Remember that its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making an escape

A more direct synonym, emphasizing the act of escaping.

breaking free

Implies a liberation from constraints or restrictions.

escaping the situation

Emphasizes avoiding an undesirable circumstance.

taking flight

Emphasizes swiftness and freedom in departure.

taking a breather

Focuses on a temporary pause rather than a permanent departure.

departing abruptly

Highlights the suddenness of the departure.

splitting away

Suggests a separation from a group or entity.

striking out on one's own

Highlights independence and self-reliance.

forging a new path

Focuses on creating a different direction or strategy.

carving out a niche

Focuses on creating a distinct position or opportunity.

FAQs

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

You can use "making a break" to describe escaping a situation, as in "The prisoner was "making a break for it"". Or, you can use it to mean changing direction, like "The company is "making a break with old traditions"".

What's a more formal alternative to "making a break"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "initiating a departure" or "effecting a transition" for a more formal tone.

Is it correct to say "make a break" instead of "making a break"?

The phrase "make a break" is often used as an imperative or infinitive, while "making a break" is used as a gerund or part of a continuous verb tense. For example, "Make a break for the door!" versus "He was "making a break for freedom"".

What does "making a break for it" mean?

"Making a break for it" means attempting to escape or reach a destination quickly, often in a risky situation. It implies a sense of urgency and determination to get away or achieve something despite the odds.