break a case

USAGE SUMMARY

"break a case" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to mean that someone has solved a problem, dilemma, or situation. For example, "The detective managed to break the case and find the culprit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

One of his biggest challenges is picking up nonverbal cues during meetings that could make or break a case.

The New York Times

A journalist can make or break a case in a way because they can figure out things the police can't or they can destroy people's lives.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Even the smallest detail, which you might think is insignificant, has the potential to break a case wide open when combined with other evidence the police already have," said Ioannis Kokkinis, criminal intelligence officer with Interpol's fugitive investigative support unit.

The Guardian

For investigators at the United States attorney's office and the city's Department of Investigation, who have tried to break a case against corruption in the city's Finance Department for at least 14 years, Mr. Schussler's death was frustrating.

The New York Times

The regulations for the OPR category sound similar to those for the Extraordinary Alien category, but subtle differences can make or break a case.

Science Magazine

But proper resources can make or break a case.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Careers could now be made in federal law enforcement by breaking a case that could credibly be labeled as terrorism while resources for other priorities dried up.

HuffPost

Shortly before the vote, Vice-President Mike Pence who was in the room to break a tie in case of a fifty-fifty vote left the chamber.

The New Yorker

Shortly before the vote, Vice-President Mike Pence — who was in the room to break a tie in case of a fifty-fifty vote — left the chamber.

The New Yorker

They're either spending so much time walking slowly on a treadmill so that they don't break a sweat, in case they look anything less than perfect.

Huffington Post

Thieves broke a glass case, taking nuggets that had been collected over decades.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or investigative contexts, use "break a case" to emphasize a significant discovery or turning point that leads to a resolution. It suggests more than just solving; it implies overcoming a major obstacle.

Common error

Avoid using "break a case" in literal contexts where 'break' means to shatter or damage something. The phrase is idiomatic and specific to solving complex problems, typically in investigations or legal matters.

Linguistic Context

"Break a case" functions as an idiomatic phrase, signifying the act of solving or making a crucial breakthrough in an investigation or difficult problem. Ludwig examples show its application in contexts ranging from law enforcement to scientific research, indicating its versatile use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "break a case" is an idiomatic phrase that means to solve a case or make a significant breakthrough in an investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts and conveys the successful resolution of a complex issue. While synonyms like "solve a case" or "crack a case" exist, "break a case" specifically highlights the moment of a key discovery or turning point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solve a case

Replaces "break" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the act of finding a solution.

crack a case

Uses a more colloquial term, "crack", to indicate solving a difficult case.

resolve a case

Emphasizes the completion and settling of a case.

make a breakthrough in a case

Highlights a significant advancement or discovery that helps solve the case.

unravel a case

Suggests a process of disentangling complex details to solve the case.

get to the bottom of a case

Focuses on finding the fundamental truth or cause behind a case.

figure out a case

Uses a more general term, "figure out", to mean understanding and solving a case.

shed light on a case

Emphasizes the act of revealing hidden information to help solve the case.

advance a case

Focuses on furthering the progress of the case towards resolution.

make headway on a case

Implies making progress, even if not fully solving the case.

FAQs

What does it mean to "break a case"?

To "break a case" means to solve it, often by discovering a crucial piece of evidence or making a significant breakthrough in the investigation. It implies overcoming a major obstacle to reach a resolution.

How can I use "break a case" in a sentence?

You can say, "The detective managed to "break a case" that had baffled investigators for years" or "New evidence helped the team "break a case" of corporate fraud."

What can I say instead of "break a case"?

You can use alternatives like "solve a case", "crack a case", or "resolve a case" depending on the context.

Is "break a case" formal or informal?

"Break a case" is generally considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's most commonly found in news reports and narratives about investigations.