break the rule

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about either literal breaking of a rule, or figurative breaking of a rule or convention. Example sentence: "He chose to break the rule and go his own way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

This seems to break the rule.

The Economist

"Mister Sterling" has the potential to break the rule, too.

The New York Times - Arts

Carriers that break the rule face fines of $27,000 per passenger.

The Economist

"I think your question must be very urgent, Mr. Sipress, to break the rule".

The New Yorker

As such, it felt confident that it could break the rule book for Greece.

The Guardian - Business

Lovers and kids constantly break the rule of skin, make us porous.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Break the Rules".

The New York Times - Magazine

"You just didn't break the rules".

The New York Times - Sports

Why didn't he break the rules?

Independent

It felt fair to break the rules".

The New Yorker

Non-members break the rules with impunity.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "break the rule", ensure the context clearly indicates which specific rule is being violated. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "break the rule" without specifying the rule being broken. Vague references weaken the impact of your statement and can confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break the rule" functions as a verb phrase where "break" is the verb and "the rule" is the direct object. It's used to describe the action of violating or not complying with a specific guideline. As Ludwig AI suggests, this can be a literal or figurative rule.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break the rule" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of violating or not adhering to a guideline or regulation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and applicable in both literal and figurative contexts. Analysis of numerous examples shows its prevalence in news, scientific, and business domains, indicating its widespread applicability. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: specifying the rule being broken avoids ambiguity. While alternatives like "violate the regulation" or "defy the convention" exist, "break the rule" remains a direct and easily understood choice for conveying non-compliance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

violate the regulation

Formal substitute, focuses on official regulations.

disregard the norm

Highlights the act of ignoring a social standard.

defy the convention

Emphasizes a challenge to accepted practices.

contravene the order

Relates to disobeying a specific command.

infringe the policy

Focuses on violating official guidelines.

transgress the law

Implies a violation of legal statutes.

deviate from protocol

Indicates a departure from established procedures.

rebel against guidelines

Shows resistance to general instructions.

bend the rules

Suggests manipulating the rules without outright breaking them.

circumvent the regulation

Implies finding a way to avoid compliance without technically breaking the rule.

FAQs

What does "break the rule" mean?

To "break the rule" means to violate or not comply with an established guideline, regulation, or standard. It implies a deviation from what is expected or permitted.

What are some alternatives to "break the rule"?

You can use alternatives such as "violate the regulation", "disregard the norm", or "defy the convention" depending on the context.

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

Here's an example: "The company decided to "break the rule" and implement a new marketing strategy." You can also specify the rule: "The athlete decided to "break the rule" against performance-enhancing drugs."

What's the difference between "bend the rules" and "break the rule"?

"Bend the rules" suggests manipulating or stretching the interpretation of a rule without completely violating it. In contrast, "break the rule" implies a direct and clear violation of the established guideline. "Bending the rules" might involve finding loopholes, while breaking them is a blatant disregard.