Meaning trap

break off

become detached

To separate or come away from something by breaking.

phrasal verbB1common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

become detached

To separate or come away from something by breaking.

break off (end a relationship or talks)

Another meaning of 'break off' is 'end a relationship or talks'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

Be careful with that chair—one of the legs might break off if you lean back too far.daily life
During the experiment, a small part of the glass tube broke off, so we had to start over.IELTS speaking

Pattern: break off (sth) | break (sth) off

WrongThe branch broke off of the tree in the storm.

RightThe branch broke off the tree in the storm. / A branch broke off in the storm.

Drop the extra 'of' — it's 'break off (the tree)', not 'break off of'.

Patternbreak off (sth) | break (sth) off

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff A piece of the handle became detached in my hand.

Natural A bit of the handle broke off in my hand.

'Break off' is the everyday verb for a piece coming away; 'became detached' is formal.

Words that usually travel with it.

'Fall off' means to drop by itself, while 'break off' means to separate by breaking.

break off (end a relationship or talks) — Another meaning of 'break off' is 'end a relationship or talks'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.