Break the mold Meaning in English
expression
ˈbɹeɪk/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈmoʊɫd
BRAYK thuh MOHLD
bɹˈeɪk/ /ðə, ði/ /mˈəʊld
brAYK thuh MOHLD
Definition
To do something in a completely new or different way, unlike what has been done before.
Usage & Nuances
An idiom used in both formal and informal contexts. Often positive, describing innovation and creativity. Commonly follows 'to' ('She wants to break the mold'). Not about literal molds—avoid confusing with physical breaking.
Spanish: romper el moldePortuguese (BR): quebrar o molde - romper o padrãoPortuguese (PT): quebrar o molde - romper o padrãoChinese (Simplified): 打破常规 - 打破模式Chinese (Traditional): 打破常規 - 打破模式Hindi: परंपरा तोड़ना - नया रास्ता अपनानाArabic: كسر القالب - تخطى المألوفBengali: নতুন পথ দেখানো - প্রচলিত ধারা ভাঙাRussian: сломать шаблон - выйти за рамкиJapanese: 型を破る - 型破りなことをするVietnamese: phá vỡ khuôn mẫu - đổi mới hoàn toànKorean: 틀을 깨다 - 새로운 길을 가다Turkish: alışılmışın dışına çıkmak - kalıpları yıkmakUrdu: روایات توڑنا - روایت سے ہٹ کر کچھ کرناIndonesian: memecahkan pola - keluar dari kebiasaan
Example Sentences
She wanted to break the mold and start her own company.
basic
This artist really breaks the mold with her new work.
basic
The new law breaks the mold of traditional thinking.
basic
If you want to succeed, you have to break the mold sometimes.
natural
That chef really broke the mold with his unusual recipes.
natural
No one expected her to break the mold, but she did, and now everyone is talking about her project.
natural