break away

1. Stop doing something, as in She broke away from work long enough to go out for lunch .

2. Leave hurriedly, escape, get loose. For example, The boy tried to break away, but his mother held onto his coat , or On the last lap the horse broke away from the pack . [First half of 1500s]

3. Sever connections with a group. For example, It was hard for me to break away from that organization, but I knew it was necessary .