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Glite Dictionary
to break into a run

to break into a run

3 1.7
To suddenly start running, often after walking or standing still
  • phrasal verb
  • /breɪk ˈɪntu ə rʌn/
translation icon : echar a correr
  • Seeing the bus pull away, she quickly broke into a run to catch it.
  • suddenly broke into a run
  • then broke into a run

Examples

  • Pauline suddenly breaks into a run and races through the bushes.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Almost as one, the soldiers broke into a run and hastened past without looking.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • As soon as he was certain, he broke into a run.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • The security guard breaks into a run, heading for the bedroom.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Mom and Dad practically broke into a run, needing to get to them.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Make way for the king! Owyn breaks into a run to meet the returning soldiers.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • "Faster!" said Penelope, breaking into a run, and the Mouse followed suit.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Jan and Frieda broke into a run and rounded the corner.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • My friend wheels around and breaks into a run, disappearing into a narrow street a block away.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • Elvis laughs and breaks into a run, barreling down on them like a maniac.

    Fiction book (1999)

Synonyms

to run
vsto break into a run
∞ 1.0

To move a boat fast in the same direction as the wind

describes sudden start from walking or standing, not general fast movement
to burst
vsto break into a run
115 1.9

Enter or appear suddenly with energy

starts suddenly from stillness specifically into fast foot movement
sprint
vsto break into a run
55 2.1

A short, very fast run over a small distance

starts suddenly from standing or walking without implying maximum sustained effort
dash
vsto break into a run
38 1.6

A short, fast run to reach something

is a sudden start from standing or walking, not just a short fast move
to spurt
vsto break into a run
1 3.5

To move or act suddenly with more speed for a short time

begins the action suddenly rather than only increasing speed temporarily
to leg it
vsto break into a run
  • UK
1 9.0

Move quickly on foot to escape or reach a place fast

starts suddenly from stillness without carrying the informal escape tone
to pelt down
vsto break into a run
  • Informal
1 7.2

To run or move very quickly without control

begins suddenly but tends to be more controlled than headlong rushing
to fly out of the blocks
vsto break into a run
6.7

Begin something very quickly and with a lot of energy

starts suddenly from walking or standing with less fierce energy
to run amain
vsto break into a run
  • Archaic
9.9

To move very fast on foot to get somewhere quickly

begins suddenly from a stop rather than keep high speed over time
to bolt down
vsto break into a run
  • Informal
6.1

To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid

starts suddenly without implying flight or fear as the motive
to run (for exercise)
vsto break into a run
1.0

Move faster than a walk for exercise

happens suddenly from walking or standing, not a steady exercise pace

Antonyms

to walk
∞ 1.0

To move on foot at a normal speed

stop
310 1.0

An act when something ends or pauses

How Sudden

to break into a run
3 1.7
to run off
  • Informal
260 3.7

Surface Forms

break into a run infinitive
breaking into a run present participle
breaks into a run third person singular
broke into a run past
broken into a run past participle

Morphology

break + into + a + run

The sense 'to suddenly begin running' is compositionally built from 'break' (to change or burst out), 'into' (indicating a change of state), and 'run' (to move quickly on foot); 'break into X' regularly signals a sudden onset. This is a predictable, cross-linguistic pattern (e.g. Spanish 'romper a correr', French 'se mettre à courir') so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would likely infer the meaning.

Etymology

The phrase break into a run shows a sudden change of movement: imagine you are walking or standing and then you break your slow motion into a fast run, like someone who suddenly rushes away. So it means 'to suddenly begin running'.