Master ‘Break Out’ to Excel in IELTS Speaking: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “break out” is a versatile expression with multiple meanings, making it a valuable addition to your IELTS vocabulary. Let’s explore its various definitions:

1. To escape from a place, especially by force:
   Example: The prisoners managed to break out of the high-security jail.

2. To suddenly start or develop:
   Example: War broke out between the two neighboring countries.

3. To suddenly appear on the skin (referring to rashes, spots, etc.):
   Example: She broke out in a rash after eating shellfish.

4. To suddenly begin (referring to sounds, emotions, or actions):
   Example: The crowd broke out in applause when the singer finished her performance.

Synonyms for “break out” include escape, erupt, emerge, or commence, depending on the context.

2. Usage in Context

“Break out” is commonly used in both formal and informal situations. Here are some examples:

Formal context:

• “The researchers are concerned that a new virus strain might break out in densely populated areas.”

Informal context:

• “I can’t wait for summer to break out so we can hit the beach!”

Break out phrasal verb usage in different contexts

3. Grammar Analysis

“Break out” is a separable phrasal verb, meaning that in some cases, you can put the object between “break” and “out.” However, this separation is more common when using pronouns.

Examples:

• The firefighters broke out the emergency equipment. (No separation)
• The firefighters broke the emergency equipment out. (Separated)
• They broke it out quickly. (Separation with pronoun)

When using “break out” to mean “escape,” it’s typically intransitive and doesn’t take an object.

4. Application in IELTS

In Speaking:

Incorporating “break out” into your IELTS Speaking responses can demonstrate your vocabulary range and fluency. Here are some example answers:

Question: “Describe a time when you felt very happy.”
Answer: “I remember when I graduated from university. As soon as the ceremony ended, everyone broke out in cheers and laughter. It was a moment of pure joy and celebration.”

Question: “What are some challenges your country is currently facing?”
Answer: “One of the main issues we’re dealing with is the potential for new diseases to break out in urban areas. Our healthcare system is working hard to prevent such occurrences.”

In Writing:

While “break out” can be used effectively in writing, be mindful of the formality level required for your essay. It’s generally more suitable for Task 2 essays where a more conversational tone is acceptable.

Example for Writing Task 2:
“In recent years, social media has played a crucial role when protests break out in various countries. It allows demonstrators to organize quickly and share real-time updates with the world.”

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Break away (from) /breɪk əˈweɪ/: To escape or leave a group or situation
   Example: The cyclist broke away from the pack to take the lead.

2. Break down /breɪk daʊn/: To stop working due to a fault or failure
   Example: Our car broke down on the highway, causing a major delay.

3. Break in /breɪk ɪn/: To enter a place by force, typically to commit a crime
   Example: Burglars broke in through the back window.

4. Break up /breɪk ʌp/: To end a relationship or to separate into smaller parts
   Example: After dating for five years, they decided to break up.

5. Break through /breɪk θruː/: To make a sudden advance or discovery
   Example: Scientists have broken through in cancer research with a new treatment method.

Infographic of related phrasal verbs to 'break out'

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks:

1. The flu epidemic __ in the winter months.
2. We need to __ the emergency supplies if the storm hits.
3. He __ in hives after eating peanuts.
4. The prisoners attempted to __ during the night shift.
5. War __ between the two nations after years of tension.
6. The audience __ in applause at the end of the performance.
7. Riots __ in several cities following the controversial verdict.
8. She __ in tears when she heard the news.
9. The company’s stock price __ of its previous trading range.
10. Firefighters quickly responded when the fire __ in the warehouse.

Rewrite the sentences:

1. The disease suddenly appeared in the population.
   The disease __.

2. The students suddenly started cheering when the results were announced.
   The students __.

3. He escaped from prison last night.
   He __.

4. A fight suddenly began in the crowd.
   A fight __.

5. The actors need to get the props from storage.
   The actors need to __.

6. She developed a severe rash after trying the new lotion.
   She __.

7. The protest unexpectedly started in the city center.
   The protest __.

8. They managed to free themselves from their captors.
   They __.

9. The audience erupted into laughter at the comedian’s joke.
   The audience __.

10. New evidence emerged that changed the course of the investigation.
    New evidence __.

Answers and Explanations:

Fill in the blanks:

1. broke out
2. break out
3. broke out
4. break out
5. broke out
6. broke out
7. broke out
8. broke out
9. broke out
10. broke out

Explanations:
1-10: In all these sentences, “break out” is used to describe a sudden occurrence or the beginning of something, which aligns with the phrasal verb’s meanings of “to suddenly start” or “to suddenly appear.”

Rewrite the sentences:

1. The disease broke out in the population.
2. The students broke out in cheers when the results were announced.
3. He broke out of prison last night.
4. A fight broke out in the crowd.
5. The actors need to break out the props from storage.
6. She broke out in a severe rash after trying the new lotion.
7. The protest broke out in the city center.
8. They managed to break out from their captors.
9. The audience broke out in laughter at the comedian’s joke.
10. New evidence broke out that changed the course of the investigation.

Explanations:
1-4, 6-10: These sentences use “break out” to indicate a sudden start or appearance, which is one of its primary meanings.
5: Here, “break out” means to bring something out for use, another valid usage of the phrasal verb.

7. Memory Tips

To remember the various uses of “break out,” try associating them with vivid mental images:

1. For escape: Imagine a prisoner breaking through walls to get out.
2. For sudden occurrences: Picture a jack-in-the-box suddenly popping out.
3. For skin conditions: Visualize spots “breaking out” through the surface of the skin.

You can also create a mnemonic: “Suddenly Out” – SO for the main meanings (Suddenly Occur, Skin Outbreak, Start Off).

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Confusion with “break up”:
   Incorrect: The couple broke out last week.
   Correct: The couple broke up last week.

2. Using “of” instead of “in” for emotions or physical reactions:
   Incorrect: She broke out of tears.
   Correct: She broke out in tears.

3. Incorrect word order when separating the phrasal verb:
   Incorrect: They broke the prisoners out the jail.
   Correct: They broke the prisoners out of the jail.

To avoid these mistakes, practice using “break out” in various contexts and pay attention to the prepositions that follow it in different situations.

9. Conclusion

Mastering the phrasal verb “break out” can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS exam, particularly in the Speaking and Writing sections. Its versatility allows you to express sudden occurrences, escapes, and the onset of emotions or physical conditions with precision and fluency. Remember to practice using it in different contexts and incorporate it naturally into your language. By doing so, you’ll not only improve your score but also enrich your overall English expression.

For more insights on how to excel in your IELTS preparation, especially when discussing global health issues, check out our article on how public health campaigns reduce disease outbreaks. This topic is particularly relevant when using phrases like “break out” in the context of epidemics or health crises.