英语短语break off是一个多义动词短语,核心含义围绕“中断、断开、终止”,具体用法需结合语境理解。以下是其主要含义及用法说明:
指正在进行的动作或过程中途停下,常因意外、干扰或主动终止。
不及物用法(无宾语):
He broke off in the middle of his story when the doorbell rang.(门铃响时,他的故事讲到一半突然停了。)
The meeting broke off abruptly when the fire alarm went off.(火警响起时,会议突然中断。)
及物用法(后接宾语,强调“主动中断某事”):
They broke off their discussion to have lunch.(他们中断讨论去吃午饭。)
指通过外力使物体从整体分离(如树枝、食物等)。
及物用法(后接“被折断的部分”):
Strong winds broke off several branches from the old oak tree.(强风把老橡树上的几根树枝吹断了。)
She broke off a piece of chocolate and gave it to her niece.(她掰了一块巧克力给侄女。)
指彻底结束人际关系、合作或约定(如婚约、谈判、友谊)。
及物用法(后接“被终止的对象”):
They broke off their engagement after a big fight.(一场激烈争吵后,他们解除了婚约。)
The company broke off negotiations with the supplier over price disputes.(因价格争议,公司终止了与供应商的谈判。)
指从某个集体中脱离、抽身(常含“突然”之意)。
常与介词from搭配:
He broke off from the group and walked alone along the beach.(他突然离开群体,独自沿着海滩走。)
The player broke off from the team to attend his sister’s wedding.(那名球员脱离球队去参加妹妹的婚礼。)
及物 vs 不及物:
当表示“折断、终止、主动中断”时,及物(需接宾语);
当表示“突然停止(自身动作)”时,不及物(无宾语)。
搭配介词:
与from连用表示“脱离(群体/来源)”,如break off from the crowd(离开人群);
与in the middle of连用表示“在……中途中断”,如break off in the middle of a sentence(句子讲一半突然停)。
break off vs break up:
break off侧重“中断/终止(未完成的事或关系)”(如中断谈话、终止谈判);
break up侧重“解散/分手(彻底结束整体)”(如乐队解散、情侣分手)。
例:They broke off their date early.(他们提前结束约会。) vs They broke up after three years.(他们三年后分手了。)
通过以上例句和分析,可更清晰掌握break off的灵活用法~