break formation
idiom
: to stop being or moving together in an organized group
The planes broke formation and took off in different directions.
Examples of break formation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Once Allied bombers were attacked, P-51 pilots had permission to break formation and shoot down German fighters at will.
—
David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Aug. 2021
The group did not run toward the gunshots or break formation.
—Nicole Chavez, Ryan Young and Angela Barajas, CNN, 25 Oct. 2020
David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Aug. 2021
The group did not run toward the gunshots or break formation.
—Nicole Chavez, Ryan Young and Angela Barajas, CNN, 25 Oct. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'break formation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near break formation
Cite this Entry
“Break formation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20formation. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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