Atemi can be complete techniques in and of themselves, but are also often used to briefly break an opponent's balance (see kuzushi) or resolve.

She knew it, too, and broke briefly into a smile.

His mental pattern broke briefly as he responded to some exterior stimulus.

They are timid in their behaviour, and will only briefly break from the cover of vegetation.

The Dow Jones industrial average, which briefly broke through the 3,000 barrier this week, tumbled by 33.67 points, to 2,965.59.

Ash briefly breaks the fourth wall, telling us that "Ash is back in business", and throws Sparky's head away.

"A couple of people broke down very briefly," a spokesman for the Americans' employer said.

He broke away briefly from the Wednesday tour to lead a guest up a warren of narrow staircases to a third-floor room.

It wasn't enough though and she briefly broke their kiss to help him remove the t-shirt altogether.

He briefly broke from his trail to literally save the hair of a kidnapped Beauty.