break off vs exfoliate

break off and exfoliate both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
break off	No	No	Yes	No
exfoliate	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, exfoliate is a hyponym of break off; that is, exfoliate is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than break off:

Other hyponyms of break off include flake, flake off, peel, peel off.

break off (verb)	exfoliate (verb)
prevent completion	grow by producing or unfolding leaves
interrupt before its natural or planned end	cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters
break a small piece off from	remove the surface, in scales or laminae
break off (a piece from a whole)	spread by opening the leaves of
break a piece from a whole	come off in a very thin piece