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break out — 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 start suddenlyTo begin quickly and unexpectedly, especially something bad like a fire, war, or disease.
  2. 2 escapeTo escape from a place or situation, especially by force or secretly.

All meanings, in depth

Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.

1

start suddenly

B1break outMost common

To begin quickly and unexpectedly, especially something bad like a fire, war, or disease.

A fire broke out in the kitchen while we were having dinner.

A: Did you hear about the protest downtown?
B: Yeah, apparently a fight broke out and the police had to step in.

If a disease breaks out in a city, the government needs to act quickly to control it.

Common mistake

✗A fire broke out of the kitchen.

✓A fire broke out in the kitchen.

'Break out' = suddenly start (use 'in'); 'break out OF' means escape.

Tell it apart

Fighting broke out in the streets.

suddenly started

The prisoners broke out of jail.

escaped
Often used for negative events like fights, diseases, or disasters.Not the same as 'break up' (to end something) or 'break down' (to stop working).

Often paired with

break out (fire/war/disease)
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2

escape

B2break out of sth

To escape from a place or situation, especially by force or secretly.

Three prisoners tried to break out of jail last night.

A: Did you hear what happened at the zoo?
B: Yeah, a monkey managed to break out of its cage!

Some people believe that strict security makes it almost impossible to break out of modern prisons.

Common mistake

✗They broke out from the prison.

✓They broke out of the prison.

'Break out OF' a place, not 'from'.

Tell it apart

Three men broke out of prison.

escaped by force

A riot broke out in the prison.

suddenly started
Usually used for escaping from prison or a locked place, but can also be used for escaping a bad situation.Not the same as 'break in' (to enter by force) or 'break up' (to end a relationship).

Often paired with

break out of
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start suddenlyescape