B2idiomcommunicationIELTS-friendly
break the news
USUK
to tell someone about something important and usually bad
Use 'to' before the person: 'break the news to him'. 'Break it to someone gently' is also common.
In context
The doctor broke the news to the family as gently as she could.
I haven't broken the news to my parents that I've left my job.
More idioms about communication
- a bone of contentiona subject that people keep arguing about
- a broken recordsomeone who keeps repeating the same thing in an annoying way
- a heart-to-heartan honest, private conversation about personal feelings
- a moot pointUK: a question still open to argument. US: a question that no longer matters in practice.
- a red herringa fact or idea that takes attention away from the real issue