verb
1
BAD : The family broke just after he was born.
GOOD : The family broke up just after he was born.
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break up = stop being together as a couple or group: 'Did you know that Carol and Richard have broken up?' 'Can you remember when the Beatles broke up?'
2
DUBIOUS : The police had to break the door to get in.
GOOD : The police had to break down the door to get in.
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In an emergency situation, policemen, firemen, etc break down the door of a room or building: 'If the door's locked, you'll just have to break it down.'
3
See BROKEN (↑ broken )