English

Verb

break into ‎(third-person singular simple present breaks into, present participle breaking into, simple past and past participle broken into)

1. (transitive, idiomatic) To enter illegally or by force, especially in order to commit a crime.

   Somebody broke into his car and stole his tools and CDs.

2. (transitive, idiomatic) To open or begin to use.

   I finally broke into the second package of cookies.

3. (transitive, idiomatic) To successfully enter a profession or business.

   He hopes to break into show business.

4. (transitive) To begin suddenly.

   The horse broke into a gallop as they neared the barn.

   • 1945 May, George Orwell, chapter 6, in Animal Farm: A Fairy Story, London: Secker & Warburg, OCLC 3655473:

     Then, as usual, the sheep broke into "Four legs good, two legs bad!" and the momentary awkwardness was smoothed over.

Translations