“Break in” means:
- To Enter Illegally or Unlawfully:
- To enter a building, vehicle, or property without permission, often with the intent to steal or commit a crime.
- Example: “The burglars broke in through the back door.”
- To Start Using or Wearing Something New:
- To gradually make something, like a new pair of shoes or equipment, comfortable or suitable for use through initial use or practice.
- Example: “I need to break in these new shoes before the marathon.”
- To Interrupt or Intervene:
- To interrupt someone who is speaking or to insert oneself into a conversation or situation.
- Example: “He broke in with a comment during the meeting.”
- To Train or Instruct:
- To train someone or something to adapt to a new role or function.
- Example: “The new employee was broken in by the senior staff.”
Prepositions
- Before “break in”: Typically not used with prepositions directly before the phrase. It stands alone or is preceded by the subject.
- After “break in”: Followed by the object or context, such as what is being entered or interrupted.
- Example: “They broke in through the side window.”
- Example: “She broke in to share her thoughts on the matter.”
Collocations
- Break in (to something/a place)
- Break in (a new item/gear)
- Break in (a conversation/meeting)
- Break in (someone/something)
Example Sentences
- “The police were called after the thieves broke in and stole valuables.”
- “You should break in those new hiking boots before you go on a long trek.”
- “He tried to break in while she was speaking to add his point of view.”
- “The company is breaking in new recruits with an intensive training program.”
- “The intruders broke in through the basement window.”
- “Breaking in these new shoes took a few days of wearing them around the house.”
- “She broke in to correct the misinformation presented in the report.”
- “The trainer will break in the new horses at the ranch.”
- “The alarm system went off when someone attempted to break in.”
- “It’s important to break in your new equipment to ensure it works properly.”
- “He broke in during the discussion to voice his disagreement.”
- “The new team member was broken in with a detailed orientation.”
- “They noticed a break-in when they found the back door ajar.”
- “You’ll need to break in the new jacket by wearing it often.”
- “She broke in with her own insights before the meeting concluded.”
- “The locksmith fixed the damage caused by the break-in.”
- “They broke in the new software by running it through multiple tests.”
- “He broke in to clarify the confusion during the conference call.”
- “The shelter had to break in the new puppies before they were ready for adoption.”
- “The security camera footage showed the moment the criminals broke in.”
- “Breaking in these new hiking boots is crucial for comfort on long trails.”
- “He broke in with a question while the lecturer was speaking.”
- “The intern was broken in by working closely with senior staff members.”
- “They discovered the break-in when they arrived home and found the house in disarray.”
- “Breaking in new musical instruments can be time-consuming but necessary for optimal sound quality.”
- “She broke in during the debate to present an alternative viewpoint.”
- “The company will break in the new equipment with a series of test runs.”
- “The break-in was discovered when the homeowner noticed items missing from the house.”
- “Make sure to break in those new sneakers before running in them for a race.”
- “He broke in with an idea that changed the direction of the project.”
- “The team is breaking in the new software by using it for small tasks first.”
- “The security system alerted them when someone tried to break in.”
- “She found the new gloves uncomfortable until she had a chance to break them in.”
- “He broke in to express his concerns about the new policy.”
- “The workshop was designed to break in new employees and help them integrate quickly.”
- “The damage from the break-in was extensive, requiring repairs throughout the house.”
- “She had to break in the new cookware to ensure it was ready for use.”
- “He broke in during the presentation to ask a pertinent question.”
- “The trainer broke in the new recruits by assigning them mentor roles.”
- “They reported the break-in to the police immediately after discovering it.”
- “Breaking in the new tent involved setting it up and taking it down a few times.”
- “He broke in with a suggestion that improved the project’s outcome.”
- “The organization had to break in new systems to handle increased demand.”
- “The house showed signs of a break-in when they found the door forced open.”
- “She broke in to add her comments before the meeting ended.”
- “The company ensures new equipment is properly broken in before full deployment.”
- “He was caught in the act of trying to break in and was arrested.”
- “She found that breaking in the new book took time to get used to its layout.”
- “He broke in with his own experiences to enrich the discussion.”
- “The team broke in the new policies with a series of workshops and training sessions.”