Break the seal Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈbɹeɪk/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈsiɫ

BRAYK thuh SEEL

UK

bɹˈeɪk/ /ðə, ði/ /sˈiːl

brayk thuh SEEL

Definition

Literally, to open something that was sealed. Informally, it means to go to the bathroom for the first time after drinking, which often makes you need to go again soon.

Usage & Nuances

Very informal; common at parties, bars, or when drinking alcohol. In literal use, refers to unsealing something (like food, documents). Idiomatically, mostly used about going to the toilet after drinking and expecting repeated trips. Avoid in formal contexts.

• Spanish: romper el sello - ir al baño por primera vez (expresión informal)
• Portuguese (BR): quebrar o selo - ir ao banheiro pela primeira vez (expressão informal)
• Portuguese (PT): quebrar o selo - ir à casa de banho pela primeira vez (expressão informal)
• Chinese (Simplified): 破封条 - 第一次去洗手间（俚语）
• Chinese (Traditional): 破封條 - 第一次去洗手間（俚語）
• Hindi: मुहर तोड़ना - पहली बार बाथरूम जाना (अनौपचारिक अंदाज़)
• Arabic: كسر الختم - الذهاب إلى الحمام لأول مرة (تعبير غير رسمي)
• Bengali: সিল ভাঙ্গা - প্রথমবার প্রস্রাব করা (আলাপচারিতায়)
• Russian: вскрыть пломбу - пойти в туалет впервые (разговорное)
• Japanese: 封を切る - お酒を飲んでから初めてトイレに行く（俗語）
• Vietnamese: phá niêm phong - đi vệ sinh lần đầu sau khi uống bia rượu (thân mật)
• Korean: 봉인을 풀다 - 주류를 마신 후 처음 화장실에 가다 (비유, 구어)
• Turkish: mührü kırmak - tuvaleti ilk kez kullanmak (alkollü ortamda, argo)
• Urdu: مہر توڑنا - پہلی بار بیت الخلاء جانا (غیر رسمی، مزاحیہ)
• Indonesian: membuka segel - buang air kecil pertama kali setelah minum (gaul)

Example Sentences

He had to break the seal on the jar before opening it.

basic

She didn't want to break the seal and be the first to use the bathroom.

basic

Once you break the seal, you'll keep going back to the restroom.

basic

Don't make me break the seal yet—I want to last through the movie!

natural

After two beers, he knew it was risky to break the seal so soon.

natural

Someone finally had to break the seal at the party, and then everyone started heading to the bathroom.

natural