breaking mark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breaking mark" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant point or threshold that indicates a change or a critical moment in a situation. Example: "The team reached a breaking mark in their negotiations, leading to a breakthrough agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As if he didn't have enough to do, whenever Michael or I needed some fast research, a poignant image, or an instant post when news was breaking, Mark was always ready at his laptop to do whatever was necessary.

TechCrunch

(But full credit: one of the show's best scenes is Cromwell breaking Mark down with his implacable logic).

Huffington Post

11.27pm BST BREAKING Mark Beaumont in a field in Somerset says Arctic Monkeys are proving "highly entertaining" while our man who's watching Portishead mumbles something about "mesmeric".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Bonds holds the career (762) and season (73) home run records, breaking marks set by Hank Aaron (755) and Mark McGwire (70).

The New York Times - Sports

He also had 177 walks and an.863 slugging percentage, breaking marks held by Ruth.

The New York Times - Sports

Strahan, who has 21 1/2 sacks, needs one more to break MARK GASTINEAU's record for sacks in a season (22) set in 1984.

The New York Times - Sports

The storm broke, marking a national political shift as big as any since independence in 1947.

The Economist

Last time we tried to do this we ended up posting a huge number of mistakes - spelling colleagues names wrong and outputting broken mark-up.

The Guardian

That season, Bonds hit a record 73 home runs, breaking Mark McGwire's record of 70 from 1998.

The New York Times - Sports

He completed the 2001 season with 73 home runs, breaking Mark McGwire's 1998 record of 70 home runs on October 5.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Phelps burst on to the scene by claiming eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, breaking Mark Spitz's 36-year-old record for the most golds at a Games in the process.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "breaking point" when refering to a situation of no return, instead of using "breaking mark".

Common error

Avoid using "breaking mark" in situations where a more general term like "turning point" or "critical juncture" would be more appropriate. "Breaking mark" is best suited for concrete, quantifiable contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breaking mark" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb, denoting the act of surpassing a specific record or quantifiable limit. Ludwig examples show it used in sports and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "breaking mark" signifies surpassing a specific, measurable record or limit, typically found in contexts such as sports and sales. While grammatically correct and understood, it is not as common as synonyms like "surpassing the record" or "exceeding the benchmark". According to Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for news reports and factual accounts. Remember to use it when emphasizing a quantifiable achievement, avoiding it in abstract situations where terms like "turning point" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpassing the record

Specifically denotes outperforming a previously established best.

surpassing the threshold

Emphasizes exceeding a defined limit or boundary.

exceeding the benchmark

Highlights outperforming a standard measure or expectation.

outperforming the standard

Highlights superior achievement compared to an established norm.

reaching a turning point

Focuses on a moment of significant change or decision.

exceeding expectations

Focuses on surpassing anticipated outcomes.

passing the milestone

Implies reaching a significant achievement or event.

crossing the line

Suggests reaching a critical boundary or limit.

shattering the barrier

Conveys a strong sense of overcoming a major obstacle.

violating the limit

Indicates exceeding an established maximum or restriction.

FAQs

How to use "breaking mark" in a sentence?

You can use "breaking mark" to describe surpassing a specific record or achievement, as in "The athlete was focused on "breaking the record"". It indicates exceeding a previously established limit.

What can I say instead of "breaking mark"?

Alternatives include "surpassing the record", "exceeding the benchmark", or "reaching a turning point", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "breaking mark" the same as "breaking point"?

"Breaking mark" refers to surpassing a quantifiable limit or record, while "breaking point" describes a point of collapse or failure due to stress or pressure. They are not interchangeable.

In what contexts is "breaking mark" most appropriate?

"Breaking mark" is most appropriate in contexts related to sports, sales, or any scenario where a measurable record or limit is being exceeded. It's less suitable for describing abstract concepts or emotional states.