break in

Meaning

To enter a building illegally by force, to interrupt someone while they are speaking, or to wear something new (like shoes) until they become comfortable.

Examples

• Someone tried to break in through the back window while we were asleep.

  Someone tried to break in through the back window while we were asleep.

• I'm sorry to break in on your conversation, but there's a phone call for you.

  I'm sorry to break in on your conversation, but there's a phone call for you.

• These leather boots are quite stiff, so I need to break them in.

  These leather boots are quite stiff, so I need to break them in.

• Our neighbor's house was broken into last week, which is very worrying.

  Our neighbor's house was broken into last week, which is very worrying.

• It takes a few days of walking to break in new running shoes.

  It takes a few days of walking to break in new running shoes.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They broke in the house last night.

  ✓ They broke into the house last night.

  Use 'break in' without an object (intransitive), but use 'break into' when you specify the place being entered.

• ✗ Don't break in me when I am speaking.

  ✓ Don't interrupt me when I am speaking.

  If you want to use 'break in' with a person as an object, you must use 'break in on [someone]' or simply use the verb 'interrupt'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Burglars will often look for unlocked windows to ___.

  💡 Enter a building illegally.

  Show answer

  break in

• My feet hurt because I haven't had time to ___ these new shoes yet.

  💡 Make comfortable by wearing.

  Show answer

  break in