break the wall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break the wall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process of breaking down a barrier, figuratively or literally, such as a metaphorical wall standing in the way of success. For example: "After months of hard work, she was finally able to break the wall preventing her from achieving her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

That is where you break the wall.

WikiHow

Sometimes, though, a critic will foolishly break the wall and confront the person behind the art.

The New Yorker

"It's not easy to break the wall between the franchise and the player.

The New York Times - Sports

We made the first written language, so we can break the wall.

The Guardian

The idea, she said, was to have guests and servers break the wall that normally separates them.

The New York Times

But Carrera and Ragazzi urged MEPs to use "all the powers at their disposal" to break the wall of silence.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

We must "Break the walls down.

Huffington Post

Competing began to break the walls I was hiding behind.

HuffPost

Divine Vessels Force Us to Break the Walls of Perception | City of the Seekers.

Vice

Break up the cliques - it is time to break the walls.

WikiHow

But the alternative, breaking the wall of silence, remains elusive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "break the wall" when you want to vividly describe the act of overcoming a significant barrier or limitation, either literally or figuratively. It adds a sense of forcefulness and determination to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "break the wall" in contexts where a more nuanced or subtle approach is needed. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly aggressive or simplistic when a different phrase might better capture the complexity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break the wall" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "break" is the verb and "the wall" is the direct object. It describes the action of breaching or overcoming a physical or metaphorical barrier. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

22%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break the wall" is a versatile expression used to convey the forceful overcoming of barriers, both literal and figurative. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, from news and media to scientific literature. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the specific context to avoid sounding overly aggressive. Alternatives like "overcome the obstacle" or "breach the barrier" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Remember to use "break the wall" when you want to add emphasis and determination to your writing, but be mindful of the specific nuances you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breach the barrier

Replaces "break" with "breach" and "wall" with "barrier", maintaining a similar meaning of penetrating an obstacle.

demolish the boundary

Replaces "break" with "demolish" for a stronger sense of destruction, and "wall" with "boundary", implying a limit.

overcome the obstacle

Shifts the focus from physically breaking something to overcoming a challenge or difficulty.

break the mold

Suggests departing from typical patterns or expectations.

shatter the illusion

Implies disproving a false perception or belief, rather than a physical barrier.

dismantle the facade

Suggests exposing a hidden or deceptive reality, differing from the literal meaning of "wall".

penetrate the defense

Conveys the sense of getting through a protective layer, often in a competitive context.

transcend limitations

Focuses on surpassing inherent restrictions, changing the emphasis from overcoming an external wall.

defy convention

Indicates challenging established norms and practices, deviating from the concrete imagery of "wall".

disrupt the status quo

Implies overturning existing power dynamics or social structures, differing significantly from the original meaning.

FAQs

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

You can use "break the wall" to describe overcoming a literal obstacle, such as "The SWAT team needed explosives to break the wall and enter the building", or a figurative barrier, such as "The company needed innovative strategies to break the wall of customer indifference".

What does it mean to "break the fourth wall"?

In fiction, to "break the fourth wall" is to directly address the audience, acknowledging that the characters are in a work of fiction. It "interrupts the narrative"'s suspension of disbelief.

What can I say instead of "break the wall" to sound less aggressive?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "overcome the obstacle", "breach the barrier", or "dismantle the facade depending on the meaning you're trying to convey".

Is "break the wall" a common expression?

Yes, "break the wall" is a fairly common expression, especially in figurative contexts relating to overcoming obstacles or "challenging norms". The examples provided by Ludwig AI confirm its widespread usage.