break the house与housebreak:
housebreak 是指训练狗、猫等宠物,使其能在指定的地点大、小便,以保持家里的卫生。
例如:
The dog (或cat) has been housebroken。或My dog is housebroken。(多半用被动语态)但也有人用主动语态。
例如:
Pet owners should housebreak their dogs and cats。
宠物主人应该训练狗猫的卫生习惯。
或者可以说 Housebreaking is necessary for cats and dogs。
但是“break the house”是指破坏了房子。
例如:
Accidentally, he broke the house by backing up his car。
他倒车时,意外碰坏了房子。(broke=damaged)
The house was broken by a hurricane。
风破坏了房子。
但用在赌场(casino)时,又指赢了一大笔钱(won lots of money)