Dictionary

break the mold en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

From the use of molds to make multiple replicas of solid objects using moldable materials.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) To depart from a traditional pattern; to defy convention.
   • President Bush joined in; his 1991 education message called for new kinds of schools, ones that "broke the mold". 1997, Theodore R. Sizer, Horace's School: Redesigning the American High School, page 12:
   • A man has to be what he is, Joey. Can't break the mould. I tried it and it didn't work for me. 1953, A. B. Guthrie Jr., Jack Sher, Shane, spoken by Shane (Alan Ladd):
   • Middle-aged and scarred, a Mexican journalist is breaking the mold of social media influencers with a message of pure positivity that resonates in dark times. 2021 November 26, Oscar Lopez, “‘Today’s Outfit Is Confidence’: Atypical TikTok Star Enchants Mexico”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
2. (idiomatic) To make it impossible for an identical copy to be made.
   • When they made him, they broke the mold. lt was a cliche that had been spoken about any number of men, for any number of different reasons. 2001, Adam Troy Castro, Spider-Man: Revenge of the Sinister Six:
   • When God made her, He broke the mold.
   • When they made that one, they broke the mold.

Forms

Relateds

they don't make them like that anymore · old school

Translations (3)

es romper esquemas (to depart from tradition) · de aus dem Rahmen fallen (to depart from tradition) · es romper el molde (to depart from tradition)