break off vs flake

break off is not a noun while flake is a noun.

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

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

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

break off (noun)	flake (noun)
	a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
	a person with an unusual or odd personality
	a crystal of snow

break off (verb)	flake (verb)
prevent completion	come off in flakes or thin small pieces
interrupt before its natural or planned end	cover with flakes or as if with flakes
break a small piece off from	form into flakes
break off (a piece from a whole)
break a piece from a whole