clean break
English
editPronunciation
editAudio (General Australian); “make a clean break”: (file)
Noun
editclean break (plural clean breaks)
- (idiomatic) The complete termination of a relationship, or exit from a situation.
- He decided to make a clean break with his employer.
- I'm ready for a clean break with my ex-girlfriend.
- 1952, Nikos Kazantzakis, chapter 1, in Carl Wildman, transl., Zorba the Greek, New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, translation of Βίος και πολιτεία του Αλέξη Ζορμπά [Víos kai politeía tou Aléxi Zormpá], →ISBN, pages 4–5:
- How bitter it is to be slowly separated from great friends! Far better make a clean break and remain in solitude—the natural climate for man.
Translations
edit- Note: These translations are for the verb phrase "make a clean break".