The phrasal verb "break it to" is predominantly used in informal speech, where it functions to describe the act of delivering bad or sensitive news to someone. It often appears in casual conversations or contexts where the speaker aims to soften the blow or prepare someone for potentially distressing information. Commonly found in familial or friendly interactions, one might encounter it in sentences like, “I had to break it to him that the job offer was retracted.” Formal contexts might prefer alternatives such as "inform" or "notify," which are more neutral and less emotionally charged. The phrase captures the emotional sensitivity involved in communicating unwelcome news and often requires tactfulness and empathy from the speaker.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To gently inform someone about something that is likely to upset or disappoint them.
I hate to break it to you, but the concert has been cancelled.
When you break it to him that he didn't get the job, make sure you're kind.
Can you break it to her that the meeting is postponed?
Breaking it to them that the vacation was called off was really hard.
Please, break it to the team that the project deadline has been moved up.