break a soldier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break a soldier" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a concept related to military context, but without additional context, it is ambiguous and not commonly used. Example: "The intense training can sometimes break a soldier's spirit, but they learn to persevere."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Smoke break," a soldier hollered.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The front page read ENOUGH WITH THE WAR! EVERYBODY HOME! alongside an image of a Russian soldier breaking a Kalashnikov in two.

Vice

Later in the morning, on a break, an Iraqi soldier coyly approached Sergeant Wagner from behind and planted a kiss on his left cheek.

The New York Times

When the deals break down, or when a soldier wants something a certain way, it is civilians that are caught in the cross-fire.

Huffington Post

This article originally appeared on VICE US.

Vice

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Vice

One of the survivors from the attacks, Abdul Hadi, 40, said he was at home when a soldier broke down the door.

The New York Times

The scandal, which tarnished America's reputation around the world, broke in January after a soldier turned in photographs showing detainees in sexually humiliating positions.

The New York Times

The doctrine held that if a soldier broke down during combat, he should be treated close to the front, because if he was sent home, he would do poorly and seldom return to battle.

The New York Times

But his time in the cottage also saw Blake arrested and tried, according to a report of the time, for "having uttered seditious and treasonable expressions, such as "D n the King, d n all his subjects, d n his soldiers, they are all slaves", after a soldier broke into his garden and the poet threw him out.

The Guardian

They also say that young men like Specialist Barajas can break in soldiers new to the battlefield.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey the idea of emotionally or psychologically affecting a soldier, consider stronger and more direct verbs like "demoralize", "traumatize", or "defeat" to replace "break".

Common error

Avoid using "break a soldier" if you intend to describe emotional or psychological impact. This phrase lacks clarity. Instead, opt for more specific alternatives like "shatter a soldier's spirit" or "undermine a soldier's resolve" to convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break a soldier" functions as a verb phrase where "break" acts as a transitive verb with "soldier" as its direct object. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct and lacks a clear meaning. The intended meaning is often related to damaging a soldier's spirit or resolve.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "break a soldier" exists, Ludwig AI suggests it's not a standard or clear expression. It typically aims to describe the act of damaging a soldier's well-being, but more precise alternatives like "demoralize a soldier" or "shatter a soldier's spirit" are recommended. Its usage is infrequent and mainly appears in news and media contexts. When writing, opt for stronger, more direct verbs to convey the intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demoralize a soldier

Focuses on the psychological impact on the soldier's morale.

shatter a soldier's spirit

Emphasizes the destruction of the soldier's inner strength and resolve.

crush a soldier's will

Highlights the act of overpowering and suppressing the soldier's determination.

defeat a soldier

Implies overcoming a soldier in combat or competition.

overwhelm a soldier

Suggests exceeding a soldier's capacity to cope.

subdue a soldier

Indicates bringing a soldier under control through force or authority.

incapacitate a soldier

Refers to rendering a soldier unable to perform their duties, typically due to injury.

psychologically damage a soldier

Emphasizes the mental or emotional harm inflicted on the soldier.

spiritually wound a soldier

Highlights the damage to a soldier's inner sense of self or faith.

traumatize a soldier

Indicates causing severe emotional or psychological distress to a soldier.

FAQs

What does "break a soldier" mean?

The phrase "break a soldier" is not a standard expression. It could refer to emotionally or psychologically damaging a soldier, but it lacks clarity. Consider using more specific alternatives.

How can I use a more appropriate phrase instead of "break a soldier"?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "demoralize a soldier", "shatter a soldier's spirit", or "traumatize a soldier" to express the intended meaning more effectively.

Is it grammatically correct to say "break a soldier"?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "break a soldier" is an unusual phrase. It's more common and clearer to use alternatives that express the intended meaning more directly.

What's a more powerful way to describe the emotional impact on a soldier than saying "break a soldier"?

Instead of "break a soldier", you could use phrases like "crush a soldier's will" or "psychologically damage a soldier". These options provide a stronger and more evocative description of the emotional impact.