It was clear that the elephants could, at any time, break away from their ropes but for some reason, they did not.

很明显，大象在任何时候都可以挣脱绳索，但出于某种原因，它们没有这样做。

youdao

As they grew up, they still believed that they couldn't break away.

它们长大后仍然相信自己不能脱离束缚。

youdao

These animals were able to break away from the rope whenever they wanted, but it was only because over time, they believed that it was just impossible.

这些动物可以随时挣脱绳子，但这只是因为随着时间的推移，它们认为这是不可能的。

youdao

"There were some problems with some tactics, techniques and procedures, the way in which close air support was supposed to have been executed in this case, such that, at least with one of the aircraft involved, a B-1 bomber, that plane because of how it takes its bombing routes had to break away from positive I.D.

VOA: standard.2009.06.08

But the suggestion that Texas might break away has only recently become a common plotline.

WSJ: In Texas, the Secession Movement Blooms in Fiction

Song proposes that Ad Agency Planners will break away and form their own niche practices.

FORBES: Connect

Pietroluongo said any artist is one hit away from that big break or even a comeback.

CNN: The making of a No. 1 song