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break in — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings
  1. 1 enter illegallyto enter a building or place by force, usually to steal something or without permission.
  2. 2 interruptto interrupt someone while they are speaking or doing something.
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1

enter illegally

B1break in to sthMost common

to enter a building or place by force, usually to steal something or without permission.

Someone tried to break in while we were on holiday, but the alarm scared them away.

A: Why are the police outside your house?
B: Someone broke in last night, but luckily nothing was taken.

If I ever saw someone trying to break in to a neighbor’s house, I would call the police immediately.

Common mistake

✗Thieves broke in the house last night.

✓Thieves broke into the house last night. / Thieves broke in last night.

With a place named, use 'break INTO the house'; bare 'break in' (no object) is also fine.

Tell it apart

Burglars broke in through the back.

entered by force

The prisoners broke out of the cell.

escaped by force
Use 'break in' or 'break into' when talking about someone entering a place without permission, often for stealing.'Break in' can also mean to interrupt someone, which is a different sense.

Often paired with

break in / break into
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2

interrupt

B2break in on sb/sthspoken

to interrupt someone while they are speaking or doing something.

Sorry to break in, but I have something important to add.

A: I was explaining my idea when he broke in and started talking about something else.
B: That must have been annoying.

In group discussions, it’s important not to break in when someone else is speaking, as it can seem rude.

Common mistake

✗Sorry to break in your conversation.

✓Sorry to break in on your conversation.

'Break IN ON' a conversation; without 'on' it sounds like the burglary sense.

Tell it apart

She broke in on our chat to ask something.

interrupted

They broke into our flat.

entered illegally
Use 'break in' when you want to say someone interrupts a conversation or activity.This sense is about interrupting, not entering a place.

Often paired with

break in (on)
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enter illegallyinterrupt