break the mold

idiom

1
: to do something in a completely new way
Voters are looking for a candidate who will break the mold and give them honest answers.
2
informal
used to describe a very unusual or admired person
He was the greatest man I ever knew. They broke the mold when they made that guy.

Examples of break the mold in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The two decided to break the mold in 2014 when Ogwumike, the #1 WNBA Draft pick that year, chose then 24-year-old Galer as her agent. Okla Jones, Essence, 18 Mar. 2025 Traditionally, Indian brides wear red for the main ceremony, but Shivani felt inspired to break the mold. Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025 But real innovation—the kind that changes industries, opens doors, and creates new opportunities—comes from those willing to break the mold. Aj Thomas, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025 Durant, at 6-foot-10, helped break the mold for bigs. Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025 For those looking to break the mold, genetic screening offers an unexpected yet deeply personal gift idea that can spark curiosity and create unique opportunities to plan for the future. Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025 Sean likes to break the mold, and kinda zig when everybody else is zagging. Vincent Perella, IndieWire, 2 Dec. 2024 Ready to break the mold and elevate your advertising? Anne Marie Nelson-Bogle, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 Lessons from Job Seekers Who Broke the Mold The common thread among these candidates is their willingness to break the mold. Nirit Cohen, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Break the mold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20the%20mold. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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