Meaning trap
break out
start suddenly
To begin quickly and unexpectedly, especially something bad like a fire, war, or disease.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To begin quickly and unexpectedly, especially something bad like a fire, war, or disease.
Another meaning of 'break out' is 'escape'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- A fire broke out in the kitchen while we were having dinner.daily life
- If a disease breaks out in a city, the government needs to act quickly to control it.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: break out (no object)
WrongA fire broke out of the kitchen.
RightA fire broke out in the kitchen.
'Break out' = suddenly start (use 'in'); 'break out OF' means escape.
Patternbreak out (no object)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Break out' is the standard verb for fires, wars and disease starting suddenly; the paraphrase is wordy.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
break out (fire/war/disease)a firewarfightinga riot
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'break up' (to end something) or 'break down' (to stop working).
Related
- break out (escape) — Another meaning of 'break out' is 'escape'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.