Spontaneous time-reversal symmetry (TRS) breaking plays an important role in studying strongly correlated unconventional superconductors. When the superconducting gap functions with different pairing symmetries compete, an Ising ($Z_2$) type symmetry breaking occurs due to the locking of the relative phase $Deltatheta_{12}$ via a second order Josephson coupling. The phase locking can take place even in the normal state in the phase fluctuation regime before the onset of superconductivity. If $Deltatheta_{12}=pmfrac{pi}{2}$, then TRS is broken, otherwise, if $Deltatheta_{12}=0$, or, $pi$, rotational symmetry is broken leading to a nematic state. In both cases, the order parameters possess a 4-fermion structure beyond the scope of mean-field theory. We employ an effective two-component $XY$-model assisted by a renormalization group analysis to address this problem. In addition, a quartetting, or, charge-``4e, superconductivity can also occur above $T_c$. Monte-Carlo simulations are performed and the results are in a good agreement with the renormalization group analysis. Our results provide useful guidance for studying novel symmetry breakings in strongly correlated superconductors.
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