break the news

/bɹˈeɪk ðə njˈuːz/

/bɹˈeɪk ðə nˈuːz/

[phrase]

to break the news

[PHRASE]

to inform someone of important or disturbing news

Examples

1. Just break the news to her gently.

2. I'm sorry to be the one to break the news to you.

3. I didn't know how to tell JAMES that the Mall Didn'T want HIM, but I paid HIM a visit to break the news.

4. The individuals there would be provided with updates as a group, and then would be sorted so that friends and family of survivors would be brought to an area to reunite, whereas others might be broken the news that their family member or friend has died.