break into something phrasal verb (see also break)

1. to enter a building or car by using force, in order to steal something:
Someone broke into my car and stole the radio.
Her house was broken into last week.

2. to become involved in a new job or business activity:
She made an attempt to break into journalism.
It’s a profession that is very hard to break into.
Many British firms have failed in their attempts to break into the American market.

3. to start to spend money that you did not want to spend:
I don’t want to break into my savings unless I have to.

4. break into a run/trot etc to suddenly start running:
He broke into a run as he came round the corner.

5. break into a smile/a song/applause etc to suddenly start smiling, singing etc:
Her face broke into a smile.
The audience broke into loud applause.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

break into
break into (something)
1.
to begin suddenly to do something.
Then he broke into a run and we just couldn't catch him.

Onishi broke into sobs and covered his eyes with a handkerchief.

2.
to enter a place by using force.
His apartment has been broken into twice, even though he had good locks on the door.

3.
to illegally get access to a computer system.
Spies have been trying to break into the army's computers for years, but no one has stolen any important data yet.

4.
to divide something into smaller pieces.
For the next basketball season there will be 24 teams broken into four divisions.

5.
to interrupt something.
Fanny's low voice broke into Nancy's pleasant thoughts.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

break into something
break into (something)
1.
to begin suddenly to do something.
Then he broke into a run and we just couldn't catch him.

Onishi broke into sobs and covered his eyes with a handkerchief.

2.
to enter a place by using force.
His apartment has been broken into twice, even though he had good locks on the door.

3.
to illegally get access to a computer system.
Spies have been trying to break into the army's computers for years, but no one has stolen any important data yet.

4.
to divide something into smaller pieces.
For the next basketball season there will be 24 teams broken into four divisions.

5.
to interrupt something.
Fanny's low voice broke into Nancy's pleasant thoughts.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

break into
v.
1. To force an entrance into; make a rough or unlawful entrance into.
Thieves broke into the store at night.
2. informal To succeed in beginning (a career, business, or a social life)
He broke into television as an actor.
3. To interrupt.
He broke into the discussion with a shout of warning.
4. To begin suddenly.
He broke into a sweat.
She broke into tears.
The dog heard his master's whistle and broke into a run.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲