Break the Ice, to make a commencement, to plunge in medias res.
Break Up, the conclusion of a performance of any kind—originally a school term.
Breaky-Leg, strong drink; “he’s been to Bungay fair, and broke both his legs,” i.e., got drunk. In the ancient Egyptian language the determinative character in the hieroglyphic verb “to be drank,” has the significant form of the leg of a man being amputated. “Tangle Leg” is the name given to New England rum.
Breeched, or TO HAVE THE BAGS OFF, to have plenty of money; “to be well BREECHED,” to be in good circumstances. Also among schoolboys to be well flogged.
Breeches, “to wear the BREECHES,” said of a wife who usurps the husband’s prerogative. Equivalent to the remark that “the grey mare is the better horse.”
Breeching, a flogging. Term in use among boys at several private schools.
Breef, probably identical with BRIEF, a shortened card used for cheating purposes; thus described in an old book of games of about 1720—