In this lesson you will learn about using the phrasal verb ‘break in’ in your conversations.

Today we will learn about the phrasal verb ‘break in’. It can be used in a number of ways. We will discuss them one after another.

‘Break in’ means an intrusion. It means a forced entry. For example: ‘The burglars broke in and ransacked Sundance Mall’.

Yes, ‘break in’ also means to interrupt something, like interrupting a discussion.

Breaking in when someone is discussing something is not good though.

Breaking in a discussion is not always bad, Earl. Well...but ‘breaking in’ also means to get accustomed to a new task.

Yeah, like training someone or learning something for a purpose.

That’s right. Let me give you an example to help you understand: ‘It will take him weeks to break in the new racing car’.

It means the driver will need weeks to properly know how to drive the new racing car, right?

You got that right!

Okay. ‘Break in’ also means to train a horse for riding.

Yes, some horses take years to break in for riding!

Especially those wild ones. Okay, but let’s listen to some conversations with more examples now.

Alright!

Guess what? Last night somebody broke in and stole Jonathan’s new car from his garage!

Really?!

Yes, really! I feel so sorry for him, he was talking about a high security locking system for his garage.

Oh! That was when you were on the phone with him and I broke into the room. I overheard you.

Yeah!

Seems I’ll need some time to break in this new software.

It’s a bit complicated. You’ll need a lot of work.

I’ve handled worse. I just need to read the manual.

Good luck breaking it in.

Guess what? Today Sammy’s new pony broke into the garden and messed everything up. It ate the daisies that Sammy’s mother had planted so lovingly.

Ha ha! That’s funny. That’s why I don’t think keeping a pet pony is a good idea.

You know Sammy! He thinks he’s an outlaw living in wild-wild west. I’m just glad he hasn’t broken into a bank yet.

I know what you mean. Children can be quite intense!

‘It will take him weeks to break in the new racing car’.

Last night somebody broke in and stole Jonathan’s new car from his garage!

That was when you were on the phone with him and I broke into the room. I overheard you.

Seems I’ll need some time to break in this new software.

Good luck breaking it in.