break through the line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break through the line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as sports, military, or metaphorically to describe overcoming obstacles or barriers. Example: "The running back managed to break through the line and score a touchdown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Undaunted, teenage girls break through the line and attempt to embrace the candidate.

The New York Times

Jacobs rushed for just 10 yards on four carries against the Miami Dolphins, consistently struggling to break through the line.

The New York Times - Sports

Tamerlan Tsarnaev died after an ensuing car chase that ended with a shootout in the suburb of Watertown, but his younger brother managed to break through the line of officers and escape.

The Guardian

Gelling suffered the injury in the 40-22 win at Wakefield when he pulled up after a break through the line.

BBC

At one stage, a man whose relative had been killed by the IRA managed to break through the line to vent his anger, but was stopped by stewards.

BBC

Gen. Withers, attempted to break through the line but was repulsed.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"Go and break through the lines," says Rufus. "And remember while you're out there risking your life and limb through shot and shell, we'll be in here thinking what a sucker you are".

The New York Times

Forfeit the outside and be very strong in front of our area, so there's no space, Messi can't get running and they can't break through the lines.

The Guardian - Sport

The protest was peaceful until a small group of demonstrators tried to break through the lines of riot police.

BBC

Pulendran's favored explanation is that flagellin manages to break through the lining of the intestines to circulate in the body and activate B cells and macrophages, amping up antibody production.

Science Magazine

These attacks would overwhelm the UN defenders and allow the North Koreans to break through the lines in at least one place to force the UN forces back.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a team's offensive strategy, use "break through the line" to illustrate how individual players overcome defensive formations.

Common error

Avoid using "break through the line" when referring to a minor inconvenience. This phrase denotes a significant effort to overcome a substantial obstacle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break through the line" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of overcoming an obstacle, typically a physical barrier or defense, to advance forward. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "break through the line" is a phrasal verb typically used to describe overcoming a barrier or defense, whether physical or metaphorical. It’s grammatically correct and considered usable in various contexts, as noted by Ludwig AI. While it's categorized as having a neutral register, its usage is more frequent in news and media sources and wiki sources. Remember, while the phrase can be used in many situations, it is most appropriate when conveying overcoming significant resistance. Some possible alternatives include "penetrate the barrier" or "overcome the opposition" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breach the defenses

Focuses on overcoming a defensive structure or system.

penetrate the barrier

Emphasizes the act of going through a physical or abstract barrier.

overcome the opposition

Highlights the act of defeating an opposing force or obstacle.

surmount the obstacle

Focuses on successfully dealing with a challenge or difficulty.

advance past the frontline

Specifically refers to moving forward in a military or competitive context.

exceed expectations

Implies surpassing a set standard or anticipated performance.

make a breakthrough

Highlights achieving a significant advancement or discovery.

shatter the status quo

Emphasizes a disruptive change or overturning of existing norms.

defy limitations

Focuses on going beyond perceived or imposed constraints.

transcend boundaries

Implies rising above limitations or restrictions.

FAQs

How can I use "break through the line" in a sentence?

You can use "break through the line" to describe a physical action, like in sports or military contexts, or metaphorically to describe overcoming a barrier or obstacle. For example: "The running back managed to "break through the line" and score a touchdown."

What does it mean to "break through the line" in football?

In football, to "break through the line" means to successfully advance past the defensive players positioned at the line of scrimmage. This allows the ball carrier to gain significant yardage or score.

Which is a better way to say "break through the line"?

Alternatives like "penetrate the barrier" or "overcome the opposition" can be used depending on the context.

How is "breach the defenses" different from "break through the line"?

"Break through the line" often describes a specific, forceful action in sports or military scenarios, while "breach the defenses" refers more broadly to overcoming any defensive structure or system.