break through the window

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "break through the window" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is physically forcing their way through a window, often in a dramatic or urgent situation. Example: "In a moment of desperation, he decided to break through the window to escape the burning building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When light did break through the window however, it was not that of the rising sun.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

All of the bullets broke through the window and passed through the lampshade.

The New York Times

The fir tree in my garden was bending both ways, the coping on my neighbour's roof came off and broke through the window.

Independent

We all went to her place for a party – I had to break in through the window because she'd lost her keys".

Vice

As sunlight broke through the windows of the charter boat, the Brooklyn VI, its disappointed crew settled into the passenger booths and talked about loss: of the customers who once filled the fishing boats all year round, of the neighborhood's vanishing landmarks, of a freedom to drift at sea without tightening government restrictions.

The New York Times

"Great Blaze Lights the City," said The New York Tribune on page 1, and 10,000 people watched; The Times described the Alwyn Court as "a huge torch". The fire had started in an unoccupied apartment on the ninth floor, and broken through the windows; tongues of fire leapfrogged the blaze to the top.

The New York Times

Mr. Blix said he expected a quick set-up in Baghdad, requiring only some fresh paint on the walls of the abandoned United Nations compound, and "we will have to make sure that the pigeons that have broken through the windows will be chased out".

The New York Times

Parallel to the story of Louie's development of two voices, one written, the other instrumental, is the tale of his devoted father, who out of concern for his son breaks through the windows of a music store and steals the trumpet on which Louie eventually learns to play.

The New York Times

A glorious California sunset would break through the kitchen window as tears flowed over the dishes I tried to do.

HuffPost

Madonna pretended to smash and break through the glass window of the confessional with a large rifle and proceeded to perform the song accompanied by a troupe of shirtless dancers wearing high heels, doing a choreography similar to the song's music video.

Wikipedia

Broken hooks have been known to rebound with enough force to break through a windshield, travel through the passenger compartment, and break through the rear window.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about dramatic scenes, use "break through the window" to create a sense of urgency and danger. The phrase conveys a forceful action and can immediately engage the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "break through the window" in situations where a gentler action is more appropriate. For instance, if someone carefully removes a window pane, a less forceful phrase would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "break through the window" functions primarily as a verb phrase describing a physical action. It depicts a forceful act of creating an opening by overcoming the barrier of a window. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "break through the window" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the forceful breach of a window. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. The phrase is versatile, conveying urgency or violence, and suitable for neutral or professional registers. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "smash through the window" or "crash through the window", the specific choice depends on the desired level of intensity and context. The phrase generally suggests an emergency situation that needs prompt action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smash through the window

Emphasizes a more violent and forceful entry.

shatter the window

Focuses on the act of the window breaking into pieces.

crash through the window

Suggests a high-speed impact leading to breakage.

force entry through the window

A more formal way of describing gaining access by force.

break in through the window

Highlights the act of illegally entering a building.

burst through the window

Implies a sudden and forceful exit or entry.

kick through the window

Specifies the method of breaking the window.

ram through the window

Indicates using an object to break the window.

smash the window open

Focuses on creating an opening by breaking the window.

make a hole in the window

Describes creating an opening, possibly smaller than the entire window.

FAQs

What does "break through the window" mean?

The phrase "break through the window" means to forcibly create an opening in a window, usually by shattering it. This often implies an urgent or desperate situation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "break through the window"?

It's appropriate to use "break through the window" when describing a scene where someone is forcibly entering or exiting a space via a window, often suggesting danger, urgency, or illegal activity.

What can I say instead of "break through the window"?

You can use alternatives like "smash through the window", "crash through the window", or "force entry through the window" depending on the context.

Is "break through the window" the same as "break in through the window"?

While similar, "break through the window" focuses on the act of breaking the window, while "break in through the window" emphasizes the illegal entry into a building. The first describes the physical action, while the second describes the intent.