break the dollar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break the dollar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to currency exchange or financial discussions, often referring to the act of changing or converting a dollar bill into smaller denominations or different currencies. Example: "I need to break the dollar to get some change for the vending machine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Europe has been especially attracted to the theory that our fiscal and trade deficits will break the dollar and stop the U.S. in its tracks.

Forbes

To break the dollar volume record, VCs need to raise another $4.6 billion in new funds by the end of the year.

TechCrunch

Boldly stated, Zhou backed by Russia, Brazil and India wants to break the dollar's hegemony in global finance.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Chinese policy makers reached a rough consensus early last month about breaking the dollar peg and letting the currency, the renminbi, rise in value somewhat, according to people close to Chinese currency policy makers.

The New York Times

When America broke the dollar's peg with gold in 1971, it ushered in a decline that continued until Paul Volcker re-established confidence in the currency in the early 1980s.

The Economist

The rapid depreciation of the dollar relative to gold dropped the gold-dollar price of oil from $3 in August of 1971 the month that President Nixon broke the dollar's link to gold to only $1.01 in June 1973.

Forbes

The euro broke the dollar monopoly and set new rules in the balance of powers in trade relationships with big countries and their economies.

Huffington Post

Be careful not to cut yourself, and be careful not to scratch or break the sand dollar.[4] It is best to avoid using force with sand dollars, given their fragility.

WikiHow

That is quite a milestone, and the firm believes it is the first UK mobile app to break the billion dollar barrier.

BBC

Spearheaded by the Washington Redskins, which became the first NFL team to break the billion dollar barrier in 2004, the league now boasts 19 of 30 clubs valued above the magic number.

Forbes

Other more accessible ready-to-wear collections softened the drama and the hard sexual beat, helping the house of Dior to break the billion-dollar barrier.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing international finance, be specific about what actions or policies might "break the dollar", such as excessive debt or loss of confidence.

Common error

Don't use "break the dollar" loosely. Always provide context about the economic factors at play. Instead of just saying a policy will "break the dollar", explain how it will affect the currency's value or stability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break the dollar" functions as a verb phrase, often used in economic and financial contexts. As Ludwig AI says, is usable in written English and relates to discussions of currency exchange or financial conditions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break the dollar" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily used in news and media contexts to discuss potential threats to the U.S. dollar's value or global standing. While the phrase itself is correct, using it effectively requires careful consideration of the specific economic factors involved. Alternatives such as "devalue the dollar" or "weaken the dollar" offer nuanced ways to convey similar ideas. To make the most of this phrase, avoid vague statements and instead, provide specific context about the economic implications being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abandon the dollar peg

Refers to a country ceasing to fix its currency's value to the dollar.

devalue the dollar

Focuses on the decrease in the dollar's value relative to other currencies or assets.

weaken the dollar

Highlights the decline in the dollar's strength or purchasing power.

diminish the dollar

Highlights the reduction of the dollar's influence or value.

undermine the dollar

Implies a gradual erosion of confidence or stability in the dollar.

destabilize the dollar

Suggests actions leading to instability or volatility in the dollar's value.

end the dollar's dominance

Focuses on diminishing the dollar's role as the primary global currency.

challenge the dollar's hegemony

Emphasizes competition against the dollar's established influence.

disrupt the dollar system

Suggests a forceful alteration or breakdown of the existing dollar-based financial system.

transform the dollar

Focuses on a complete shift of functions/value of the dollar.

FAQs

What does it mean to "break the dollar" in economic terms?

In economic terms, to "break the dollar" can refer to actions or events that significantly weaken or destabilize the U.S. dollar's value or its role in the global financial system. This could involve policies that lead to high inflation, excessive debt, or a loss of confidence in the currency.

What are some potential consequences of actions that "break the dollar"?

Potential consequences include increased inflation, higher import prices, decreased purchasing power for U.S. consumers, and a loss of confidence in the U.S. economy among international investors. It could also lead to a decline in the dollar's status as the world's reserve currency.

Are there alternative phrases to "break the dollar" that convey a similar meaning?

Yes, alternative phrases include "devalue the dollar", "weaken the dollar", or "undermine the dollar". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

How is "break the dollar" different from saying the dollar is "in crisis"?

"Break the dollar" often suggests a more fundamental and potentially irreversible shift in the dollar's status or value due to specific actions or policies. "In crisis" implies a period of instability but not necessarily a permanent change. You may also be interested in the expressions: "destabilize the dollar" or "abandon the dollar peg".