break in a case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break in a case" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to a significant development or discovery in a legal case that may change its direction or outcome. Example: "The detective received a break in the case when a witness came forward with new information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That's something Coplink's oh-so-human advocates will boast about like a good story about a rookie getting a lucky break in a case.

The New York Times - Arts

The arrests of the two men was a break in a case that police described as mystifying for its scope and brutality.

The New York Times

The arrest seemed a major break in a case in which the dead woman's roommate, Amanda Knox, a 20-year-old American student, and her Italian boyfriend have also been arrested.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Judge Sirica, a tough jurist known as "Maximum John" in the courthouse, relentlessly pursued the facts about the 1972 Watergate break-in, a case that eventually led to the resignation of President Nixon.

The New York Times

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the letter was a critical break in a frustrating case and that it helped lead the authorities to the two suspects.

The New York Times

Hannibal The team gets a break in a grisly case when the body of someone who died after escaping the killer's clutches turns up with valuable evidence.

Los Angeles Times

This hardball tactic particularly miffed Weiss because the Post's reporting had provided a break in the case -- a witness linking the victim to the suspect, a bouncer at the bar where she was last seen.

Huffington Post

A break in the case came about a year and a half ago, prosecutors said, when the assailants told the victim that they intended to assault a member of her family.

The New York Times

A break in the case came after a Torrance Police Department cold-case detective found a picture-hanging wire, like the one used in the killing, in Bradford's mother's home.

Los Angeles Times

But it's a huge break in the case, and a striking window into the importance of cyber-operations in modern-day statecraft.

MIT Technology Review

In 1992, for example, he broke a logjam in a case called United States v. Fordice, on whether Mississippi had done enough to integrate its public university system.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or investigative matters, use the phrase "break in a case" to denote a significant positive development. For greater impact, consider specifying the nature of the break, such as "a DNA match provided a break in the case".

Common error

Avoid exaggerating minor leads as a "break in the case". Reserve this phrase for developments that genuinely shift the investigation's direction or provide substantial new evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break in a case" functions as a noun phrase that signifies a pivotal advancement or revelation in a legal or investigative context. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing moments where a case's trajectory shifts due to new evidence or insights.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break in a case" correctly refers to a significant advancement in an investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. It’s most commonly found in news reports and serves to highlight pivotal moments in legal or investigative contexts. While not exceptionally frequent, it's widely understood and conveys a turning point in a case. For alternatives, consider "breakthrough in the investigation" or "major development in the case". Remember to reserve this phrase for genuinely significant leads, avoiding overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breakthrough in the investigation

This alternative emphasizes the sudden and significant nature of the progress in the investigation.

major development in the case

This phrase highlights the importance of the new information or event impacting the case.

significant progress in the investigation

Focuses on the advancement made, rather than a singular event.

new lead in the case

Highlights that the break is specifically a piece of information that guides the investigation forward.

turning point in the case

Suggests that the "break" alters the direction or outcome of the case.

key discovery in the investigation

Emphasizes the finding of crucial information or evidence.

critical advancement in the case

Highlights how essential the advancement is in resolving the case.

important revelation in the case

This focuses on new and significant information that has come to light.

decisive factor in the investigation

This highlights the element that provides a breakthrough in the investigation.

game changer in the case

Implies a substantial shift in the dynamics or prospects of the case.

FAQs

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

You can use "break in a case" to describe a significant development or discovery that helps solve a crime or legal issue. For example, "The new evidence provided a major break in the case".

What's a good alternative to "break in a case"?

Alternatives include "breakthrough in the investigation", "major development in the case", or "significant progress in the investigation". Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

Is it correct to say "a break through in a case"?

While understandable, the standard phrasing is "a break in a case" or a "breakthrough in the case". The latter emphasizes the sudden progress.

What does "break in a case" imply?

It implies that a significant obstacle has been overcome, new information has surfaced, or a crucial piece of evidence has been found, leading to substantial progress in resolving the case.