Literal translation
break through defense
When to use it
Used when something unexpectedly touches you emotionally — a touching movie scene, surprising kindness, or being moved by another person's story.
Origin
Originally from games (defense broken), popularized on Bilibili/Douyin.
Examples
- 看到妈妈给我写的信,我破防了。Reading the letter my mom wrote me, I was totally moved.
Similar slang
破大防