#1 break away v. move away or escape suddenly; "The horses broke from the stable"; "Three inmates broke jail"; "Nobody can break out--this prison is high security". wn #2 break away v. break off (a piece from a whole); "Her tooth chipped". wn #3 break away v. interrupt a continued activity; "She had broken with the traditional patterns". wn #4 break away v. withdraw from an organization or communion; "After the break up of the Soviet Union, many republics broke away". wn #5 break away v. flee; take to one's heels; cut and run; "If you see this man, run!"; "The burglars escaped before the police showed up". wn