breaking bounds

USAGE SUMMARY

"breaking bounds" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to someone or something that is pushing the limits of accepted behavior, or going beyond accepted social norms or conventions. For example, you could say, "The student was warned not to break bounds or he would face disciplinary action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

You can feel someone breaking bounds, pulling out the stops, discovering how it feels to say exactly what he's burning to say".

The New York Times

The Internet attracts so many hotheads, with their diatribes, partly because of similar attempts to stand out against the coldness of the medium; exaggerated feelings and expressions strain at breaking bounds.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Gosling, the Greyfriars porter, has been bribed with a flask of whisky by those cads and bounders, Vernon-Smith, Skinner, Snoop, and Stott, to let them break bounds.

The Guardian - Books

Triple Pier Expo Antiques keep breaking the bounds, in terms of definition.

The New York Times - Arts

For Ginsberg and his friends, freedom lay in breaking the bounds of traditional prosody; for Brodsky and his friends, freedom came from reëstablishing a tradition that Stalin had tried to annihilate.

The New Yorker

He was soon breaking the bounds of his easygoing aunt's house (where his parents had foolishly put him) for the capital's gay fleshpots, here picking up kerb crawlers and cottagers, there finding disco music enjoyable.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"A man in a tree could look down on daily existence like a bird in flight, a step to breaking the bounds of the ordinary, a hint of immortality".

The New York Times

Over coffee one morning, they said that emboldened by the success so far of "69°S.," which had been well-received in its previews, they were thinking — despite the advice of everyone they knew, their agent especially — of breaking the bounds not only of the marionette stage but of theater walls altogether.

The New York Times

They are constantly breaking the bounds of what American animation can look like and be about.

Forbes

They regard market capitalism as inherently expansive, breaking the bounds of the nation-state system, as evidenced by the fact that production and consumption had become attuned to faraway lands.

SEP

The tropes of the third pole merge here with abiding human themes, breaking the bounds of their genre provincialism without leaving it behind.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "breaking bounds" to describe situations where established limits, whether social, creative, or physical, are being intentionally surpassed or ignored.

Common error

Avoid using "breaking bounds" in contexts where simple improvement or progress is meant. The phrase carries a connotation of intentionally exceeding or challenging existing limitations, not just making incremental advancements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breaking bounds" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of exceeding or surpassing limits. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable. Examples show it used to describe artists, behaviors, and even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "breaking bounds" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes the act of exceeding established limits. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable expression, though not overly common. Its contexts range from news and media to literature and even science, suggesting versatility. The key is to use it when referring to intentionally surpassing limitations, not just making general improvements. Be mindful of its connotation to ensure proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeding limitations

Focuses on surpassing defined limits, without specifying the nature of those limits.

transcending boundaries

Emphasizes overcoming established divisions or borders, both literal and figurative.

pushing the envelope

An idiomatic expression that centers on testing existing limits or standards, particularly in creative or innovative contexts.

defying convention

Highlights the act of opposing or rejecting established norms and practices.

overstepping the mark

Suggests exceeding acceptable limits of behavior or conduct, often with negative consequences.

out of control

Implies a loss of regulation or restraint, leading to behavior or events that are unmanageable.

going too far

Indicates exceeding a limit of what is considered acceptable or appropriate.

crossing the line

Similar to 'going too far', this highlights surpassing a boundary of acceptable behavior.

challenging restrictions

Focuses on actively confronting and questioning existing limitations or constraints.

surpassing expectations

Centers on exceeding anticipated levels of performance or achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "breaking bounds" in a sentence?

You can use "breaking bounds" to describe actions that exceed normal limits, such as: "The artist was known for "breaking bounds" with his unconventional techniques."

What are some synonyms for "breaking bounds"?

Alternatives include "exceeding limitations", "transcending boundaries", or "pushing the envelope", each with slightly different nuances.

Is it always positive to talk about "breaking bounds"?

Not necessarily. While it can imply innovation and progress, "breaking bounds" can also suggest overstepping acceptable limits or causing disruption. The context is crucial.

What's the difference between "breaking bounds" and "reaching new heights"?

"Breaking bounds" implies surpassing existing limits or conventions, while "reaching new heights" suggests achieving a higher level within existing parameters. The first focuses on exceeding, the second on improving.