Pronunciation: [bɹˈe͡ɪkɪŋ ˈa͡ʊt] (IPA) 
Breaking out is a common phrase used to describe an abrupt eruption or emergence of something. The spelling of "breaking" includes a voiced "b" sound, followed by the dental fricative "r" and the vowel sound "eɪ". The word "out" is spelled with the voiced velar stop "g" as in "got," followed by the short vowel sound "a" and the voiceless alveolar stop "t." In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is written as /ˈbreɪkɪŋ aʊt/.
Breaking out is a phrasal verb that can be used in different contexts and has multiple meanings. One common meaning of breaking out is to escape from a confined space or to set free, usually from a prison or confinement. It implies forcefully overcoming barriers or restrictions to gain independence or freedom. For example, a news headline might read, "Prisoners break out of maximum-security facility." In this context, breaking out refers to the prisoners' successful escape.
Additionally, breaking out can be used to describe the sudden appearance or eruption of something, such as a rash or an outbreak of a disease. For instance, "The child broke out in hives after eating seafood." Here, breaking out signifies the sudden and visible manifestation of hives on the child's skin.
Furthermore, breaking out can be used to describe a sudden and forceful occurrence or expression of emotions, usually associated with anger or laughter. For example, "She broke out in uncontrollable laughter at the comedian's joke." In this context, breaking out suggests an abrupt and intense emotional reaction.
In a more metaphorical sense, breaking out can refer to breaking through boundaries, limitations, or restrictions in order to achieve success or reach one's potential. This could describe someone overcoming obstacles or making significant progress in their endeavors. For instance, "Jane finally broke out of her comfort zone and pursued her dream career." Here, breaking out portrays the individual surpassing their self-imposed limitations to achieve personal growth and achieve success.
The phrase "breaking out" is a combination of two separate words, "breaking" and "out", each with their own etymological origins.
Firstly, the word "breaking" derives from the Middle English word "breken", which can be traced back to the Old English word "brecan". This Old English term evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "*brekaną", meaning "to break, shatter". The Proto-Germanic root "*brekaną" is also related to similar terms in other Germanic languages, such as the Old High German "brehhan" and the Old Norse "braka".
Secondly, the word "out" originated from the Old English word "ūt", which was also present in Old Frisian, Old Saxon, and Old High German. The Proto-Germanic root "*ūt" means "out, outside".
