Definition of break with

The phrase "break with" is an idiomatic expression that means to end a close relationship, usually a cooperative or affiliative one. The origin of this phrase can be traced back to the 16th century, when the word "break" meant to shatter or fracture something, typically something delicate or fragile. In the context of relationships, the original meaning of "break" has evolved to signify a rupture or severance. The addition of "with" helped to clarify the sense of the expression, as it adds a preposition that indicates separation or disconnection. The use of "break" in this idiomatic sense is related to the metaphor of a relationship as being comparable to a delicate object that is held together by interconnections or shared beliefs. When these bonds are ruptured, there is a shattering, a fragmentation or fracturing that can be painful and disruptive. So, to "break with" someone or something is to sever a close affiliation, often under disagreement or duress, and to do so in a way that is heard as a deliberate and decisive action. It can connote not just a separation but also a rejection or a turning away from a previous path or course of action.