break-through

A soldier leads a break-through across a fortified trench.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A major achievement or discovery: "break-through" refers to a significant, sudden, and important advance, especially in scientific knowledge, technology, or other fields of endeavour.
   • A military penetration: "break-through" also denotes the act of forcing a way through an enemy's defensive line, as in warfare.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The discovery of penicillin was a major break-through in medicine. (A significant scientific advance.)
  • The army achieved a break-through in the enemy's front line after days of heavy fighting. (A military penetration of defences.)

Advanced Usage

• "to make a break-through": to achieve a significant advance or discovery.

  • After years of research, the team finally made a break-through in cancer treatment. (They achieved a major scientific success.)

• "a break-through moment": a critical point at which a significant advance occurs.

  • The signing of the peace treaty was a break-through moment in the negotiations. (A crucial turning point.)

Variants and Related Words

• Breakthrough (n, adj): often written as one word (breakthrough) meaning the same as "break-through" but more common in modern usage; also used as an adjective meaning "representing a major advance".

  • The new vaccine is a breakthrough in public health. (A major advance.)
  • She gave a breakthrough performance in her first film. (A performance that marked a major career step.)

• Break through (phrasal verb): to force a way through something; to overcome an obstacle.

  • The sun finally broke through the clouds. (The sun appeared after being hidden.)
  • He managed to break through the language barrier. (He overcame a communication obstacle.)

Synonyms

• Advance: a forward movement or improvement.
• Discovery: something found or learned that was previously unknown.
• Leap: a sudden or dramatic increase or improvement.
• Penetration: the act of entering or passing through something, especially in a military context.

Related Idioms

• Break new ground: to do something innovative or unprecedented.

  • Her research broke new ground in the field of genetics. (It was pioneering and original.)

• Turn the corner: to pass a critical point and begin to improve.

  • After the successful surgery, the patient finally turned the corner. (He began to recover.)