breakaway
breakaway — adjective
- breakawaypositive
- more breakawaycomparative
- most breakawaysuperlative
1. used for a group or region that broke off from a bigger political body or organi
used for a group or region that broke off from a bigger political body or organisation, usually aiming to become independent
The breakaway region declared independence after years of armed conflict.
breakaway + region; attributive
A breakaway faction within the ruling party formed its own leadership council.
breakaway + faction; political context
International mediators tried to negotiate a peace deal with the breakaway republic.
The breakaway group set up its own school and health clinic in the mountains.
- separatist
stronger emphasis on the desire for independence, often used for political movements
- secessionist
formal, used in legal or political contexts about leaving a state or union
- splinter
used for small groups that break away from a larger organization, usually due to disagreement
- united
describes groups or regions that stay together under one system
- mainstream
describes the larger, established group that the breakaway leaves
文法句型
breakaway + noun (group/faction/republic)
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Cannot be used after a linking verb like 'is' or 'became'.
常見錯誤
breakaway — noun
- breakawaysingular
- breakawaysplural
1. an act of leaving a larger group, organization, or political unit, typically bec
an act of leaving a larger group, organization, or political unit, typically because of a disagreement or a desire for independence
The breakaway from the main church shocked the local community.
breakaway from + [group]
After the breakaway, the new organization set up its own headquarters in Kaohsiung.
The company's board tried everything to prevent a breakaway by its most profitable division.
The breakaway was the result of years of tension between the two rival factions.
Lien argued that a breakaway would damage the movement's credibility.
- split
less formal, can describe any division within a group
- secession
formal, specific to leaving a political union or state
- defection
focuses on abandoning a group to join another, often in politics or the military
- withdrawal
general term for pulling out; does not necessarily imply disagreement
- unification
the act of joining or bringing together
- merger
when two groups combine into one
文法句型
breakaway from + [organization/group]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'from' to specify the group being left. The related verb phrase is 'break away from'.
常見錯誤
2. in road cycling, one or more competitors who separate from the main pack (the pe
in road cycling, one or more competitors who separate from the main pack (the peloton) during a race, or the action of doing this
The breakaway built a lead of over three minutes before the final mountain climb.
build a lead; cycling race context
Nikos joined the breakaway early in the stage and stayed ahead for sixty kilometres.
The peloton caught the breakaway with only two hundred metres left to race.
A solo breakaway is rarely successful in a professional road race.
- escape group
alternative term used in race commentary
文法句型
be in the breakaway
join the breakaway
catch the breakaway
用法筆記
Used specifically in the context of road bicycle racing. The main group is called the 'peloton'. A 'solo breakaway' involves one rider; otherwise it is a group breakaway.
3. in games like soccer, basketball, or ice hockey, a quick attacking move where a
in games like soccer, basketball, or ice hockey, a quick attacking move where a player gets past all defenders and charges towards the scoring area
Sade scored the winning goal on a breakaway in the final minute of the game.
score on a breakaway
The defender sprinted back and managed to stop the breakaway just before the shot.
The goalkeeper rushed out of the box to stop the breakaway, but the forward chipped the ball over her.
Owen led a fast breakaway that ended with a dunk at the other end of the court.
- fast break
used in basketball to describe a quick offensive rush
- rush
used in hockey for a fast move toward the opponent's net
- set play
a planned offensive move from a stopped position
文法句型
on a breakaway
score on a breakaway
用法筆記
Common in soccer, ice hockey, and basketball commentary. In basketball, also called a 'fast break'. In hockey, it often involves one player facing the goalkeeper alone.
breakaway — verb
- breakawaypresent simple I / you / we / they
- breakaways3rd person singular
- breakawaying-ing form
- breakawayedpast simple
1. to separate yourself physically or formally from a group of people, an organizat
to separate yourself physically or formally from a group of people, an organization, or a place — for example, leaving a crowd, leaving a political party, or pulling a vehicle out of a convoy
During the protest, several members broke away from the main march and headed toward the square.
broke away from + [group]; physical separation
One of the trucks broke away from the military convoy and drove down a side road.
The youth group decided to break away from the national organisation and run its own programmes.
Jin broke away from the tour group to take pictures of the old temple by the river.
文法句型
break away from + [group/place]
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'from' to indicate what is being left. This is the literal and most common verb sense of 'break away'.
常見錯誤
2. to stop following established customs, traditions, or patterns of thinking, and
to stop following established customs, traditions, or patterns of thinking, and start doing things in a new or independent way
The young painter broke away from traditional techniques and developed her own bold style.
break away from + tradition / style
Many writers wanted to break away from the strict rules of classical poetry.
After twenty years as a lawyer, Zayd decided to break away from corporate life and open a small bookshop.
The band's new album broke away from their usual pop sound and explored jazz influences.
- depart from
slightly more formal; used for rules, standards, or expected behaviour
- stray from
suggests accidentally moving away, not a deliberate choice
- rebel against
stronger emotional tone; implies active resistance
- follow
to continue doing things in the established way
- conform to
to follow rules or standards without questioning
文法句型
break away from + [tradition/style/way of thinking]
用法筆記
This abstract sense describes a change in approach, not a physical separation. The object after 'from' is usually an idea, a tradition, a way of working, or a style.
常見錯誤
3. to suddenly move ahead of other competitors by increasing your speed, especially
to suddenly move ahead of other competitors by increasing your speed, especially in a race such as cycling or running
On the final lap, the Kenyan runner broke away from the pack and sprinted toward the finish line.
broke away from the pack; sports context
The cyclist broke away from the group halfway through the race and never looked back.
Two horses broke away from the field and raced neck-and-neck to the finish.
Ritu broke away from the chasing runners with a sudden burst of speed.
- pull ahead
more general; can apply to any competition or comparison
- sprint away
emphasises the burst of speed
- shake off
informal; means to successfully get away from someone chasing you
- fall behind
to lose ground to other competitors
- stay with
to remain at the same speed as the group
文法句型
break away from + [group/runners/pack]
用法筆記
Similar to noun sense 2 (CYCLING RACE) but used as a verb. The noun 'breakaway' describes the rider or the action; the verb 'break away' describes the act of doing it.