break free

break free

1. To escape from physical restraints, or to detach or separate something from an obstacle or restraint. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "break" and "free." The robber had tied me to a chair, but I was able to break free and run to safety. It took me an hour to break the fishing line free from the tangle of wires.
2. To move away or separate from someone or something. I'm starting to break free from the religious tradition I was raised in.
See also: break, free
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

break something free (from something)

to force something to detach from something; to get something out of the hold of something else. I broke the gun free from her grasp. Someone broke the light fixture free from its mounting.
See also: break, free

break free

(from someone) Go to break away (from someone).
See also: break, free
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • back into
  • back into (someone or something)
  • angle
  • angling
  • orient
  • orient to
  • orient to (something)
  • spiff up
  • spiffed up
  • involved with
References in classic literature
All that was noticeable was the little wilful tendrils of her curly hair that would always break free about her neck and temples.
If only she could rescue him in some manner, help him to break free from this bondage.
I am sorry, too, that with all the energy and resolution in protesting--which she has already shown once--she has little self-reliance, little, so to say, independence, so as to break free from certain prejudices and certain foolish ideas.
Downstairs they could hear the thud of his feet on the floor, as he struggled to break free; and twice they heard him shout, "Rachel, Rachel!"
The soothing song features the debutants Karan and Sahher, wandering here and there amid the mountains and rivers to break free the happy soul within them.
HEINEKEN'S pubs business is being investigated by the industry watchdog amid concerns it forced unfair terms on pub tenants looking to break free of the "beer tie".
The winner will ride off with the motorbike, valued at PS11,500, while helping men and women to break free from addiction.
The woman managed to break free. A police spokesman said: "At approximately 9.15pm on Saturday, a 21-yearold woman was walking alone along Fairfield Street in Wrexham when a white VW Transporter with two men on board pulled up alongside her.
Despite the black dog's attempts to break free, and the intervention of three winery employees, the pit bull's vice-like grip was impossible to break.
In a tweet, he said India must realize that more they try to suppress the people of Kashmir through violence, the more determined Kashmiris become to break free from Indian subjugation.
The coal spill took place while environmental activists staged their 'Break Free from Coal' parade and festival in San Juan town and San Fernando City, both in La Union, on July 13 and 14.
"Not only does this impact on her ability to break free from an abusive relationship but it potentially forces her to remain stuck in an impossible position, which can victimise her all over again.
Phil Burleigh's poor kick saw Jacob Stockdale break free and he showed his pace before feeding Darren Cave for the first try.
Despite this, the dog was able to break free and attacked the woman, who was trying to break up the animals.
Man threw wheeled bins at partner A WOMAN was forced to bite her partner to break free when he threw wheeled bins at her, a court heard.