break the regulations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break the regulations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of violating or not adhering to established rules or laws. Example: "If you choose to break the regulations, you may face serious consequences from the authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This proves that the banks take regulations seriously, as they're adamant that members of staff who don't break the regulations will be dealt with severely, and only those who break them all day long will be given any rewards.

Independent

According to a recent survey cited in The Week, around 40% of passengers said they never turn off their phones during a flight, and a small number knowingly break the regulations by using their phones to talk or text.Ms McCaskill need not wait for the FAA to act.

The Economist

A penalty charge of £130 will be issued to owners of vehicles who break the regulations, including driving in Games Lanes or stopping along the route.

BBC

Quite often the doctors use their own contacts to treat such patients or look for some ways to break the regulations and treat a patient without medical insurance".

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He allowed for his officers to break the regulation – they should not have had their weapons drawn for vertical patrols.

The Guardian

Last year, 219 riders were issued summonses for breaking the regulations.

The New York Times

He said he could not risk breaking the regulations.

The New York Times

But the supermarkets say they did not believe they were was breaking the regulations.

The Guardian

"For example, in the [Citizens Advice] report it is assumed that a threat to force entry to a property or to remove goods required for work purposes is breaking the regulations.

BBC

[End Page 22] In practice, however, Jews are not expected to carry such permits and in general are not prosecuted for breaking the regulations in Article 125 … There is something wrong in this law, which was drafted to apply to all citizens in the country but is in fact enforced only against some of them.

Johns Hopkins University

In the early 1980s, Brabham was accused of going further and breaking the regulations.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "break the regulations", ensure you specify which regulations are being violated to provide clarity and context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "break the regulations" without specifying the context. Instead of saying "The company broke the regulations", clarify with "The company broke environmental protection regulations by improperly disposing of waste".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break the regulations" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of violating established rules or laws. This can lead to penalties or consequences, as illustrated by examples Ludwig, which highlights instances where individuals or entities face repercussions for such actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break the regulations" is a commonly used expression to describe the act of violating established rules or laws. Analysis shows that the phrase is grammatically correct, although relatively uncommon in overall usage. Ludwig AI identifies its primary contexts as news and media, science, and wiki sources. The phrase serves to report or discuss instances of non-compliance. To ensure clarity in writing, it’s best to specify which regulations are being violated. Alternatives such as "violate the rules" or "contravene the regulations" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

violate the rules

This alternative uses a more general term, 'rules', instead of the more specific 'regulations'.

breach the regulations

This option is a more formal and legalistic term for violating the regulations.

contravene the regulations

This option uses a more formal and legalistic verb, 'contravene', to express the violation.

infringe the regulations

This alternative suggests a more subtle or indirect violation of the regulations.

be non-compliant with the regulations

This option emphasizes a state of not adhering to the regulations, rather than a specific action.

disregard the regulations

This phrase highlights the act of ignoring or paying no attention to the regulations.

act against the regulations

This phrase indicates actions that are in direct opposition to what the regulations prescribe.

defy the regulations

This alternative implies a deliberate and open resistance to the regulations.

flout the regulations

This phrase suggests a contemptuous disregard for the regulations, often publicly.

transgress the regulations

This alternative suggests a more serious or moral violation of the regulations.

FAQs

What does it mean to "break the regulations"?

To "break the regulations" means to violate or not comply with established rules, laws, or guidelines. It implies an action that goes against what is officially permitted or required.

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

You can use alternatives like "violate the rules", "contravene the regulations", or "infringe the regulations depending on the context.

Which is correct, "break the regulations" or "violate the regulations"?

Both "break the regulations" and "violate the regulations" are correct. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and context. "Violate" is often used in more formal or legal settings.

What is the difference between "break the regulations" and "bend the rules"?

"Break the regulations" implies a direct violation, while "bend the rules" suggests finding loopholes or pushing the boundaries of the regulations without technically violating them.