Read the following sentences carefully to understand the meaning of the italicized phrases. Then match the phrasal verbs in column A with their meanings in column B.

1. A communal war broke out when the princess was abducted by the neighbouring prince.


2. The cockpit broke off from the plane during the plane crash.


3. The car broke down on the way and we were left stranded in the jungle.


4. The dacoit broke away from the police as they took him to court.


5. The brothers broke up after the death of the father.


6. The thief broke into our house when we were away.


Column A



Column B



(i) break out


(ii) break off


(iii) break down


(iv) break away


(from someone)


(v) break up


(vi) break into



(a) to come apart due to force.


(b) end a relationship


(c) break and enter illegally, unlawful trespassing


(d) of start suddenly, usually a fight, a war or a disease


(e) to escape from someone's grip


(f) stop working



Column A



Column B



(i) Break out



(d) of start suddenly, usually a fight, a war or a disease.


Eg- The First World War broke out in July 1914.



(ii) break off



(a) To come apart due to force.


Eg- The sensor broke off due to the pressure it was subjected to.



(iii) break down



(f) stop working.


Eg- Our car abruptly broke down in the middle of the road.



(iv) break away


(from someone)



(e) to escape from someone’s grip.


Eg- The thief broke away from the police jeep.



(v) break up



(b) end a relationship.


Eg- Break up has become a very easy way of walking away from a relationship.



(vi) break into



(c) break and enter illegally, unlawful trespassing.


Eg- The terrorists broke into the shopping centre.




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