breaking off

Verb

break off (third-person singular simple present breaks off, present participle breaking off, simple past broke off, past participle broken off)

1. (transitive) To remove a piece from a whole by breaking or snapping.
   • She unwrapped the slab of chocolate and broke off a piece.
2. (intransitive) To become detached by breaking or snapping.
   • A chunk of rock broke off from the cliff face.
3. (transitive) To discontinue abruptly.
   • Both families want the lovers to break off any relationship they may have.
4. (intransitive) To end abruptly, either temporarily or permanently.
   • Our school doesn't break off until July.
5. (ambitransitive) To play the first shot in a frame of snooker, billiards or pool.
   • Ted's opening line, when Steve broke off for the deciding frame, was, 'Last night we put our clocks back one hour. These two stars turned theirs back to April.'2017, John Virgo, Say Goodnight, JV - My Autobiography, John Blake Publishing, →ISBN
6. (slang, transitive, African-American Vernacular) To give (someone) (something); to allow (someone) to take (something); to grant (someone) a share or portion of (something).
   • If you help, I'll break you off a piece of the proceeds.