break-in

/ˈbreɪk.ɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [brˈekˌɪn] /ˈbreɪk.ɪn/ (ame, ipa) · [brˈekˌɪn] /ˈbrāk-ˌin How to pronounce break-in (audio)/ (ame, mw)

break-in — noun

1. an event in which someone gets into a home, shop, or other building illegally, o

1.名詞B2
釋義

an event in which someone gets into a home, shop, or other building illegally, often by forcing a door or window open so they can steal things

例句

The break-in left glass all over Ife's kitchen floor.

result: break-in leaves broken glass behind

The break-in at the shop was captured by security cameras.

pattern: break-in at + place

同義詞
  • burglary

    more formal and common in legal or news language

  • intrusion

    broader; it can mean unwanted entry without any theft

文法句型

a break-in at + place

signs of a break-in

report a break-in to the police

用法筆記

This noun names the event itself. English usually says 'a break-in at the office' or 'signs of a break-in', while the verb is 'break into' ('Someone broke into the office'). Unlike robbery, a break-in focuses on entering the place illegally, not on threatening a person directly.

常見錯誤

❌There was a break-in into the office last night.
✅There was a break-in at the office last night.
💡With the noun 'break-in', English normally uses 'at' for the place where it happened.
❌Someone break-in my apartment last night.
✅Someone broke into my apartment last night.
💡The noun 'break-in' names the event; the verb phrase is 'break into'.