break the budget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break the budget" is a commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe when the cost of something exceeds what was originally allocated in the budget. For example, you could say "The cost of the new equipment broke the budget" or "Renovating the kitchen broke the budget".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

This surely did not break the budget.

The New York Times

"The shortfall in ticket sales did not make or break the budget this year," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

They come with thick French fries galore and don't break the budget ($10 here).

The New York Times

It won't break the budget; it probably will encourage somewhat more private saving.

The New York Times

Here are a few suggestions for warm winter drinks (to accompany Matt's winter cuisine) that won't break the budget:.

The New Yorker

It quickly became apparent that Mr. Scorsese's deliberate, painstaking approach would break the budget and play havoc with the shooting.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

It's worth breaking the budget for.

The Guardian - Travel

I could even have shelled out on two more shirts without breaking the budget.

Independent

"The DS is a good example of creativity while not breaking the budget".

The New York Times - Tech

"This bill breaks the budget," said Senator Don Nickles of Oklahoma, the assistant Republican leader.

The New York Times

My five top tips will help you attract the right candidates professionally and fairly without breaking the budget.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial constraints or project costs, use "break the budget" to clearly convey that expenses have exceeded the allocated funds, impacting financial planning.

Common error

Avoid using "break the budget" lightly; it implies a significant financial disruption, not just a minor overspending. Ensure the context warrants this level of severity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break the budget" functions as a predicate in sentences, typically describing what action or result is occurring to a budget. It indicates that expenses are exceeding, or are at risk of exceeding, the allocated financial resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break the budget" is a common expression used to describe situations where expenses exceed the allocated financial resources. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts. The analysis reveals that its primary function is to express a concern or statement about exceeding financial limits, typically within news, business, and general contexts. While "break the budget" has a neutral register, it's important to use it thoughtfully, ensuring that its impact correctly conveys significant financial strain. Alternative phrases like "exceed budgetary limits" or "run over budget" can be considered based on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceed budgetary limits

This alternative is a more formal way of saying that spending has gone over what was allocated.

deplete funds

This suggests that the available money is being significantly reduced or exhausted.

drain financial resources

This emphasizes the negative impact of spending on the overall financial health.

overspend the allocated amount

This alternative is more specific about the act of spending more than what was planned.

upset fiscal stability

This highlights the disruptive effect on the overall financial balance.

derail financial planning

This focuses on how the spending issue can throw off overall money management.

exceed the financial plan

A more explicit statement that budget was not respected.

compromise monetary balance

This highlights the financial risks associated with excessive expenditure.

unbalance the finances

Simple way to mention that money is not balanced anymore.

run over budget

This is an informal way of saying that the expenses are higher than anticipated.

FAQs

How to use "break the budget" in a sentence?

You can use "break the budget" to describe a situation where expenses exceed the allocated funds. For example, "The unexpected repairs threatened to "break the budget"."

What can I say instead of "break the budget"?

You can use alternatives like "exceed budgetary limits", "deplete funds", or "run over budget" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "break the budget" or "broke the budget"?

"Break the budget" is used when referring to a potential future event. "Broke the budget" is used when discussing a past event. For example, "The project might "break the budget"", versus, "The project "broke the budget" last year".

What's the difference between "break the budget" and "strain the budget"?

"Break the budget" suggests a more severe impact, indicating that the budget is exceeded. "Strain the budget" implies that the budget is under pressure but not necessarily exceeded. Think of it as "strain the budget" as a warning, while ""break the budget"" is confirmation that it already happened.