break bounds

USAGE SUMMARY

"break bounds" is a correct phrase to use in written English.
It is often used to refer to someone or something exceeding the limits of what is expected or accepted. For example, you could say, "Her ambition to break bounds and achieve her goals is inspiring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Gosling, the Greyfriars porter, has been bribed with a flask of whisky by those cads and bounders, Vernon-Smith, Skinner, Snoop, and Stott, to let them break bounds.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You can feel someone breaking bounds, pulling out the stops, discovering how it feels to say exactly what he's burning to say".

The New York Times

The Internet attracts so many hotheads, with their diatribes, partly because of similar attempts to stand out against the coldness of the medium; exaggerated feelings and expressions strain at breaking bounds.

The New York Times

They were facing competition from 100 Jamaican-owned bakeries and, as Lowell saw it, they had to break the bounds of the immigrant neighborhoods.

The Washington Post

Though the Ives festival featured many brilliant performances, there was, in the end, something dispiriting about the Philharmonic's attempt to break the bounds of programming convention.

The New Yorker

"Art is de facto subversive," his instructor declares, encouraging her students to break the bounds of conformity -- and unintentionally leading Gerald to take morally suspect pictures of his young daughter.

The New York Times - Books

Though his novels have a hectic energy that seems to break the bounds of literary form and reach strange limbic depths, they also seem like dead ends, mere containers for those intermittent illuminations and shocks.

The New Yorker

"I thought: let's have a house for these innovative novels that are just too edgy for the mainstream but allow people to break all bounds and find a unique voice," says Goodman.

The Guardian

They include Nini, a deformed girl, and Kai, a model citizen who has made an advantageous marriage to a high-ranking official, but yearns to break the bounds of her stiflingly correct life.

The Guardian - Books

"We got into this because we wanted to write from other points of view than our own, so everyone is resisting this idea that we can't try to break the bounds of our little egos," he said.

The New Yorker

In December, the monsoon comes, and when it does, Sampan Creek and all its fellow creeks and rivers break their bounds and spread their mud — an originating mud — out over the coastal plains.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "break bounds" to describe situations where established limits or expectations are significantly exceeded. This phrase is particularly effective when emphasizing a sense of liberation or innovation.

Common error

While "break bounds" is a valid phrase, it's not as commonly used as alternatives like "exceed limitations" or "transcend boundaries". Avoid using it excessively in your writing; instead, opt for more common phrases to maintain clarity and naturalness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break bounds" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of exceeding or surpassing established limits. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although it's relatively uncommon. Its function is to express an action that goes beyond conventional constraints, often implying innovation or defiance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "break bounds" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey the act of exceeding or surpassing limitations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, although it's not as common as alternative phrases like "exceed limitations" or "transcend boundaries". The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, carrying a neutral tone. While effective in emphasizing innovation or defiance, it's important to use it judiciously to maintain clarity and naturalness in writing. The related phrases offer a range of options to express similar concepts with subtle differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceed limitations

This alternative focuses on surpassing existing restrictions, emphasizing the act of going beyond established limits.

transcend boundaries

This phrase suggests rising above or going beyond established borders or limits, often used in a more abstract or philosophical context.

defy restrictions

This option highlights resistance to limitations, suggesting a deliberate act of opposing constraints.

overstep limits

This implies exceeding acceptable or permissible boundaries, often with a negative connotation.

push the envelope

This idiom refers to testing the limits of what is possible or acceptable, often in a creative or innovative context.

go beyond the pale

This idiom suggests exceeding the bounds of acceptable behavior or morality.

stretch the rules

This implies bending or extending the application of rules, often to gain an advantage.

cross the line

This idiom refers to exceeding the limits of what is considered appropriate or acceptable.

outstrip expectations

This phrase focuses on surpassing anticipated outcomes or achievements.

rise above constraints

This option emphasizes overcoming limitations, highlighting the act of elevating oneself beyond restricting factors.

FAQs

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

You can use "break bounds" to describe exceeding limitations, such as "The artist's innovative techniques allowed him to "break bounds" of traditional painting."

What does it mean to "break bounds"?

To "break bounds" means to exceed the normal or acceptable limits; to go beyond what is expected or allowed. It implies surpassing constraints or limitations.

What are some alternatives to "break bounds"?

Some alternatives to "break bounds" include "exceed limitations", "transcend boundaries", or "defy restrictions". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "break bounds"?

"Break bounds" is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize exceeding limitations, whether in creativity, innovation, or achievement. However, use it judiciously as it's not as common as other similar phrases.