break new ground — to do something innovative or pioneering; to be the first to do something new
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to do something innovative or pioneering; to be the first to do something new
Pronunciation (IPA): /breɪk nuː ɡraʊnd/
Example Sentences
- Marie Curie broke new ground as the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
- My grandmother broke new ground by becoming the first person in our family to eat pizza with chopsticks.
- The startup is breaking new ground in sustainable fashion.
break new ground
VERB[/breɪk nuː ɡraʊnd/]
to do something innovative or pioneering; to be the first to do something new
The young architect's glass dome design will break new ground in sustainable building.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Originally derived from agricultural practice, this phrase literally referred to ploughing virgin land that had never been cultivated before. It subsequently evolved into a figurative expression meaning to pioneer new fields or methods of endeavour.
Breakdown
break (to fracture or turn over soil) + new (previously non-existent or unexploited) + ground (land or field of activity). The compound idiomatically signifies pioneering innovation or venturing into unexplored territory.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Marie Curie broke new ground as the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.”
“My grandmother broke new ground by becoming the first person in our family to eat pizza with chopsticks.”
“The startup is breaking new ground in sustainable fashion.”
“Scientists broke new ground when they discovered that cats actually do understand us but choose to ignore us.”
📚Related Words
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