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break rhythm

[/breɪk ˈrɪðəm/]
verb phrase
quebrar o ritmo
1. To interrupt or disrupt an established pattern, tempo, or flow of movement, music, or activity
The dancer decided to break rhythm to add an unexpected move to the performance.
O dançarino decidiu quebrar o ritmo para adicionar um movimento inesperado à apresentação.
2. In music, to deviate from the established beat or tempo
The guitarist began to break rhythm, creating a syncopated effect.
O guitarrista começou a quebrar o ritmo, criando um efeito sincopado.
3. To disrupt a routine or established pattern of behavior or work
We need to break rhythm with our usual schedule and try something new.
Precisamos quebrar o ritmo da nossa rotina habitual e tentar algo novo.
NYC Slang
throw off the beat / mess with the flow
Synonyms
disrupt the beatinterrupt the flowdeviate from tempolose the beat
Antonyms
maintain rhythmkeep timestay in syncfollow the beat

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
quebrar o ritmo
Standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
quebrar o ritmo / tirar o ritmo
Both expressions commonly used in musical and colloquial contexts
São Paulo
quebrar o ritmo
Preferred in formal and informal contexts
Portugal
quebrar o ritmo / perder o ritmo
Both expressions used; 'perder o ritmo' emphasizes loss of continuity

Related Idioms & Phrases

break the ice
break the habit
fall into a rhythm
get into the groove
lose the beat
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