break the tension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break the tension" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation in which someone attempts to alleviate the stress that is present in a group or between people. Example sentence: "When the argument between the two coworkers escalated, their boss tried to break the tension by suggesting they take a break."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Trying to break the tension".

The New York Times

To break the tension, Sharpless asks how old she is.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"That's awkward," Megyn Kelly said, trying to break the tension.

The New York Times

There is no ironic emoticon here to break the tension.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Bill could always break the tension in the kitchen, and everyone loved him".

The New York Times - Food

Some chatted with friends about other, less hurtful topics, laughing awkwardly to help break the tension.

The Washington Post

He keeps the game fun and he keeps everything laughing, just to break the tension".

The New York Times - Sports

Wiggins explained that it was his way to break the tension and have some fun.

The New York Times - Sports

It is also, at times, raucous, if only to break the tension.

The New York Times

"AaaaahhhCHOOOO!" Leonda said, playfully feigning a sneeze to break the tension.

The New York Times

This is supposed to break the tension and get him out of his environment.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "break the tension" when you want to describe an action that reduces stress or awkwardness, especially in social situations or tense environments.

Common error

Avoid using "break the tension" when the goal is to completely resolve a conflict or problem; it's better suited for easing immediate discomfort or stress, not fixing underlying issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break the tension" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used with a subject (someone or something performing the action) and often followed by details specifying the situation where tension is being relieved. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

11%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break the tension" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe actions that alleviate stress or awkwardness in a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, from news and media to encyclopedias and wikis. Semantically related phrases include "ease the tension", "alleviate the tension", and "defuse the tension". When using this phrase, remember that it's best suited for easing immediate discomfort rather than resolving deeper issues. The frequency of examples from Ludwig demonstrates its widespread applicability and acceptance in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ease the tension

Replaces "break" with "ease", suggesting a more gradual reduction of tension.

alleviate the tension

Uses "alleviate" instead of "break", implying a lessening of the intensity of tension.

defuse the tension

Employs "defuse" to convey neutralizing a potentially volatile situation.

reduce the stress

Focuses on "stress" rather than "tension", indicating a more general calming effect.

lighten the mood

Shifts the focus to the emotional atmosphere, making it less serious or heavy.

calm the atmosphere

Targets the environment, aiming to soothe or stabilize the prevailing feeling.

smooth things over

An idiomatic expression suggesting a way to resolve difficulties or disagreements.

cut the awkwardness

Addresses specifically the discomfort or unease in a situation.

relieve the pressure

Similar to easing tension, but emphasizes reducing a feeling of being burdened.

discharge the strain

Uses "discharge" to represent release or removing the strain. It sounds a little bit more formal than other alternatives.

FAQs

How can I use "break the tension" in a sentence?

You can use "break the tension" to describe an action intended to relieve stress or awkwardness in a situation. For instance, "He told a joke to "break the tension" during the awkward silence".

What are some ways to "ease the tension" /s/ease+the+tension in a meeting?

To ease the tension in a meeting, you could use humor, suggest a break, or change the subject to something less contentious.

Is it always appropriate to try to "break the tension"?

While generally positive, attempting to "break the tension" can be inappropriate if it trivializes a serious situation or dismisses someone's legitimate concerns. Consider the context carefully.

What's the difference between "defuse the tension" /s/defuse+the+tension and "break the tension"?

"Defuse the tension" suggests neutralizing a potentially explosive situation, while "break the tension" implies a more general reduction of stress or awkwardness. The former is often used in higher-stakes scenarios.