break / break off

[Brahman]

Should it be

1) Let's break off for lunch.

or

2) Break up for lunch.

or

3) Let's break for lunch.

?

[Josef]

Let's break for lunch.

[Brahman]

Thank you very much, Josef!

I have found some examples of "break off" in the dictionaries. Are they Standard English or regionalism?

1. Finally we would break off for coffee and to talk more informally. [pg. 35, Oxford Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs by A.P.Cowie & R. Mackin]

2. Let's break off and have a cup of tea.
2a. Let's break off work and have a cup of tea. [Longman Dictionary of Phrasal verbs by Rosemary Courtney]

[jmio]

"Break off" is less common and might not sound right in all situations, but both are standard.

[Josef]

I agree with jmio. The danger with "break off" is that it can imply the end of an activity, not a mere pause. This is indicated by the use of the word "Finally" in your example sentence #1. Sentences #2 and #2a are ambiguous and we might only know from the context whether the break was permanent or temporary.

[Brahman]

Josef and jmio,

Thank you very much for your help.