Break in Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈbɹeɪk/ /ˈɪn/, /ɪn

BRAYK-in

UK

bɹˈeɪk/ /ˈɪn

brayk-IN

Definition

To enter a place by force, usually to steal; to interrupt a conversation; or to make new shoes or clothes more comfortable by using them.

Usage & Nuances

"Break in" has three main uses: (1) enter illegally, always informal or in police/business reporting; (2) interrupt conversations, informal; (3) making new shoes or clothes comfortable, neutral. If using for people, be careful of context so it is not confused with 'break into.' Often used as "break in on" a conversation.

• Spanish: forzar la entrada - interrumpir (una conversación) - domar (zapatos, ropa, etc.)
• Portuguese (BR): arrombar (invadir) - interromper (uma conversa) - amaciar (sapatos, roupas)
• Portuguese (PT): arrombar (invadir) - interromper (uma conversa) - amaciar (sapatos, roupas)
• Chinese (Simplified): 闯入 - 插话 - 使（新鞋等）适用
• Chinese (Traditional): 闖入 - 插話 - 使（新鞋等）適用
• Hindi: घुसना (चोरी के लिए) - बीच में टोकना - नया (जूता, कपड़ा) ढालना
• Arabic: يقتحم (منزل أو مكان) - يقاطع (محادثة) - يلين (حذاء أو ملابس جديدة)
• Bengali: জোর করে ঢোকা - কথোপকথনে বাধা দেওয়া - নতুন জুতা বা পোশাক পরা (আরামদায়ক করার জন্য)
• Russian: вломиться - вмешаться (в разговор) - разносить (обувь) - разносить одежду
• Japanese: 押し入る - 話に割り込む - 慣らす（靴や服）
• Vietnamese: đột nhập - chen ngang (vào cuộc nói chuyện) - làm cho giày/quần áo mới mềm ra
• Korean: 침입하다 - 말을 끊다 - (옷이나 신발을) 길들이다
• Turkish: zorla girmek - söze karışmak - (ayakkabı/giysiyi) alıştırmak
• Urdu: زبردستی داخل ہونا - بات میں مداخلت کرنا - نئے جوتے یا کپڑے پہن کر آرام دہ بنانا
• Indonesian: membobol - menyela (percakapan) - membiasakan (sepatu/pakaian baru)

Example Sentences

Someone tried to break in last night.

basic

Please don’t break in while I’m talking.

basic

It takes time to break in new shoes.

basic

I saw two men trying to break in through the back door.

natural

Sorry to break in, but I have some news to share.

natural

She wore the boots every day to break them in.

natural