Britain threatened to break off diplomatic relations.

英国威胁说要断绝外交关系。

《牛津词典》

Pearl, who had enough shadow in her own little life, chose to break off all acquaintance with this repining brook.

在她小小的生命中已经有了太多的阴影的珠儿，便放弃了这条如泣如诉的小溪，不再和它交往。

youdao

My theory is that if one is doing it, all do it until the first one has the courage to break off—it's peer pressure.

我的理论是，如果有人开始做这类节目，其他人也都会做下去，直到第一个人有勇气挣脱为止——这是同行压力。

youdao

The young man reached out to break off one of the purple flowers.

VOA: special.2009.05.30

The Union captain,too, was ready to break off the battle.

VOA: special.2009.09.10

"There is a need to break the on-again-off-again cycle of our military-to-military relationship,".

VOA: standard.2009.10.27

Instead (Marzouki) intended to break off the relationship and abscond with the diamond engagement ring.

WSJ: Bills DE Williams sues ex to return $785,000 ring

What could possibly necessitate me to break off to make contact with the office?

BBC: Enniskillen bombing: a reporter's memories of 1987 attack

Ice is more likely to break off from shore as temperatures rise in spring.

CNN: More than 220 rescued from ice floes off Latvian coast