“To break a record” is a common English idiom that frequently pops up in everyday conversations, news articles, and even on the IELTS exam. Understanding its meaning and usage can be valuable for any English learner, particularly those aiming to excel in their IELTS.
Understanding the Meaning
At its core, “to break a record” means to surpass a previously set achievement. This achievement can be in any field:
- Sports: A runner breaking the world record for the fastest marathon.
- Music: A song breaking the record for most downloads in a week.
- Weather: A heatwave breaking the record for the highest temperature in a century.
- Business: A company breaking its own record for quarterly profits.
The ‘record’ represents the highest or best result achieved in the past, and ‘breaking’ it signifies surpassing that benchmark.
Breaking a Record
Usage in Different Contexts
Let’s look at some examples to solidify your understanding:
- “The athlete broke the Olympic record for the 100-meter sprint.” (Sports context: The athlete ran faster than anyone ever has at the Olympics.)
- “The new superhero movie broke box office records on its opening weekend.” (Entertainment context: The movie earned more money than any other film during its first weekend.)
- “Last month’s rainfall broke a 50-year record.” (Weather context: The amount of rain surpassed the highest amount recorded in the past 50 years.)
“To Break a Record” on the IELTS
This idiom might appear in various sections of the IELTS exam:
- Listening: You might hear it in a lecture about climate change mentioning record-breaking temperatures.
- Reading: An article about a successful entrepreneur might mention breaking sales records.
- Writing Task 2: You could use the idiom when discussing topics like technological advancements or human achievements.
Tips for Using “To Break a Record”
- Context is key: Always ensure the context clarifies what record is being broken. For example, instead of “He broke the record,” say, “He broke the school record for the high jump.”
- Grammatical Accuracy: Remember to use the correct tense. For past achievements, use the past tense (“broke”). For potential future achievements, use the future tense (“will break”).
- Avoid Redundancy: Don’t say “break a new record.” “Breaking a record” already implies a new achievement.
Conclusion
Mastering idioms like “to break a record” will enrich your vocabulary and enhance your understanding of English nuances. Remember to practice using it in different contexts to truly integrate it into your active vocabulary. Being comfortable with such idioms will undoubtedly boost your confidence and performance in the IELTS exam.
