break to

break (something) to (someone)

To reveal information, often that which is bad or upsetting. Who is going to break the news of the accident to Millie? Your mother is going to be furious if she learns of our engagement from someone else—you have to break it to her first!
See also: break
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

break something to someone

to disclose some news or information to someone. (Often said of unpleasant news.) I hate to be the one to break this to you, but there is trouble at home. We broke the bad news to Ken gently.
See also: break
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • break (something) to (someone)
  • break the news to (one)
  • break the news
  • got
  • go well with
  • go well with (someone or something)
  • have a spill
  • go for (something)
  • go for it
  • get someone going
References in periodicals archive
Clubs will not be allowed to use the break to go on money-making tours around the world, though, although they will be granted permission to attend warm weather training camps.
Premier League set for first winter break
In terms of location, Scottish residents were the most likely to use their break to complete a personal task that had been distracting them or playing on their mind (54 per cent), followed by those living in Yorkshire (52 per cent)
Brits addicted to being busy; A BREAK IS NO LONGER A BREAK FOR MORE THAN HALF OF BRITS WHO USE SHORT WORK BREAKS TO COMPLETE ADMIN TASKS
A worker is also protected from suffering any detriment if s/he refuses to work through a rest period or break to which s/he is entitled.
YOUR VIEW; Today Joe Michna, of Citizens Advice Hartlepool, talks about taking rest breaks at work
He concluded that floods of dam break are more dangerous than natural floods of rivers even for small dams and emergency programming can limit a disastrous dam break to a limited disaster in view of human fatalities.
Effects of dam break on downstream lands using Gis and Hec-Ras (case study: Eyvashan in Lorestan-Iran)
BANNING workers from using the internet for personal use could actually be hitting productivity because staff need a break to help reduce stress, according to a new report.
'e-breaks' make workers more productive
Whenever the QB demonstrates a 3-step drop, the corner must instantly recognize it, break to the ball, locate the receiver, read the route, and make the play.
A good corner must be able to stay low in a back pedal and when forced to turn his hips, he must be able to stop, plant and come out of the break to close on the receiver to make a play.
Four essential keys in playing (off) man coverage from the corner position
At first, I said there was no way I was going to give up my last spring break to come here.
Spring breakers fix homes
A worker is protected from suffering any detriment if s/he refuses to work through a rest period or break to which s/he is entitled.
YOUR VIEW; Joe Michna, manager of Citizens Advice Hartlepool
Being a big proponent of the "Kansas" secondary break, we designed our press break to be run out of that set.
A universal press-breaker: it can score against any press
Arrow (#1 receiver playside): Vertical release to 4 yards, plant inside foot, break to outside at 45-degree angle and work upfield to depth of 12 yards; plant inside foot, break to outside and come back to sideline at 45-degree angle.
Flat (fullback): Release through playside A gap; get to point 5 yards from LOS, plant inside foot and break to outside, working horizontal to LOS.
The boot
If the catcher throws to 3rd base after faking to 2nd, the pitcher must break to the plate to back it up in case of a rundown.
The 1st and 3rd double steal
6 At 15 yards, break to middle (using speed cut if you're ahead of defender; stutter-step if he is with you) and come downhill slightly.
Numbered wide receiver routes vs bump and run defense