to break short - Glite Dictionary

Examples

The thunderstorm forced us to break short the outdoor party.
Tom broke short his training session due to rain.
When the fire alarm sounded, the meeting was broken short immediately.
I always break short when I feel tired.
She had to break short her speech due to an emergency.
The thunderstorm forced us to break short the outdoor party.
Tom broke short his training session because of unexpected rain.

Synonyms

to break

vsto break short

∞ 1.0

To stop an activity or end a habit

specifies ending earlier than planned not just ending in general

to interrupt

vsto break short

909 2.5

To stop someone speaking or an activity

focuses on ending early rather than only causing a temporary pause

to cut off

vsto break short

620 3.8

To stop something suddenly before it is finished

may describe ending early without necessarily involving abrupt blocking

to cut short

vsto break short

67 3.5

Stop something earlier than planned

is the same meaning but uses different words or form

to break off

vsto break short

50 3.2

To stop something suddenly before it is finished, for example a talk or relationship

allows ending early without implying a sudden abrupt stop

to break up

vsto break short

11 3.3

Interrupt an activity so it stops for a short time

implies a full early ending rather than only a temporary pause

to bring up short

vsto break short

1 7.4

Stop someone suddenly, often during speech or action

can mean ending earlier without the strong surprise or personal focus

to pull up short

vsto break short

1 5.8

To stop suddenly before you expect it

may cover premature ending without stressing abrupt physical or sudden halt

Antonyms

to continue

∞ 1.0

To keep doing something without stopping

to extend

680 3.2

To make something reach farther, such as more places or people

How Interrupted

to end

∞ 1.0

to break short

5.4

to interrupt

909 2.5

to pause

346 1.0

Surface Forms

break short infinitive

breaking short present participle

breaks short third person singular

broke short past

broken short past participle

Morphology

break + short

The meaning 'to interrupt or stop abruptly' follows directly from combining 'break' (to interrupt/stop) with 'short' (abruptly/briefly), so a learner who knows both words can infer the general sense. However, the adverbial use of 'short' and the specific collocation 'break short' are somewhat less common and slightly literary, so the precise nuance and naturalness may not be fully predictable for an average B1 learner without prior exposure.

Etymology

The verb break short comes from a simple image: imagine you break a long stick so it suddenly becomes short and the action stops with a quick snap. That's why break short means 'to stop' or 'to end early'.