break through the lines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break through the lines" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is overcoming obstacles or barriers, often in a military or metaphorical sense. Example: "The soldiers managed to break through the lines of the enemy, gaining a strategic advantage in the battle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

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

"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

The fighting — with rifle, machine-gun and mortar fire — was at times pitched, but Colonel Qaddafi's forces did not break through the lines held by the rebels, who celebrated their successful defense in the evening, driving through the village and firing rifles into the air.

The New York Times

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

BBC

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

Unable to break through the lines, they retreated into the city once more, but several of their soldiers did not make it into the city, and plundered the neighboring villages; 250 local residents were killed.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "break through the lines" when describing a forceful advancement past a barrier, whether physical or metaphorical. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "lines" are being breached.

Common error

Avoid using "break through the lines" when a simpler term like "overcome" or "penetrate" would suffice. The phrase implies a structured defense or barrier, not just any obstacle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break through the lines" functions as a compound verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of overcoming a defined boundary or opposition. Ludwig AI examples show it used both literally (military contexts) and metaphorically (business or social contexts).

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

35%

The Guardian - Sport

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "break through the lines" is a grammatically sound and usable idiom that describes overcoming barriers or defenses. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, noting its suitability across diverse contexts, from military advancements to metaphorical achievements. While not exceedingly common, its usage is well-established in news media, wiki entries, and sports reporting. When employing this phrase, ensure that the nature of the "lines" is clear to maintain effective communication. Consider alternatives like "breach the defenses" or "overcome the opposition" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breach the defenses

This alternative suggests a more direct and forceful overcoming of a protective barrier.

penetrate the barrier

This phrase highlights the act of passing into or through something that acts as an impediment.

overcome the opposition

This option focuses on defeating those who are resisting or opposing progress.

surmount the obstacles

This alternative emphasizes rising above and conquering difficulties or challenges.

defy the restrictions

This phrase suggests actively resisting and going against imposed limitations or rules.

transcend limitations

This option highlights exceeding or going beyond inherent restrictions or boundaries.

break the mold

This idiomatic expression means to defy convention and do things differently.

shatter the status quo

This implies a dramatic disruption and change of the existing state of affairs.

push past the limits

This alternative highlights exceeding what is thought to be the maximum capacity or boundary.

triumph over adversity

This phrase emphasizes achieving victory or success in the face of hardship or challenges.

FAQs

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

You can use "break through the lines" to describe overcoming a physical barrier, as in "The army managed to "break through the lines" of enemy soldiers", or a metaphorical barrier, such as "The company needed to "break through the lines" of bureaucratic red tape to launch their new product".

What does "break through the lines" mean?

The phrase "break through the lines" typically means to overcome a barrier or defense, often with force or determination. It can refer to physical barriers, like military lines, or metaphorical ones, like bureaucratic obstacles.

What are some alternatives to "break through the lines"?

Alternatives to "break through the lines" include "breach the defenses", "penetrate the barrier", or "overcome the opposition", depending on the specific context.

Is "break through the lines" formal or informal?

"Break through the lines" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and situation.