battre en brèche

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breach by bombardment, undermine, demolish an argument
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/batʁ ɑ̃ bʁɛʃ/
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To break through a defence or weaken a position by sustained attack.
Practice using battre en brèche in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • L'avocat a battu en brèche chaque argument adverse.
    The lawyer demolished every opposing argument.
  • Cette découverte bat en brèche la théorie dominante.
    This discovery undermines the prevailing theory.
  • Le fort fut battu en brèche par les batteries ennemies.
    The fort was breached by enemy batteries.
  • Il fallait battre en brèche la fortification avant l'assaut.
    They had to breach the fortification before the assault.
  • Le rapport bat en brèche l'idée d'une reprise rapide.
    The report undermines the idea of a rapid recovery.

Similar words

ouvrir une brèche
réfuter
ébranler
saper
enfoncer les défenses
démolir

Meanings

Breach a fortification

military
technical
To strike a defensive wall with artillery until an opening is made.

Examples

  • L'artillerie a battu en brèche le rempart durant la nuit.
    The artillery breached the rampart during the night.
  • Les canons battaient en brèche la muraille orientale.
    The cannons were breaching the eastern wall.
  • Il fallait battre en brèche la fortification avant l'assaut.
    They had to breach the fortification before the assault.
  • Le fort fut battu en brèche par les batteries ennemies.
    The fort was breached by enemy batteries.
  • Les soldats attendaient qu'on batte en brèche l'enceinte.
    The soldiers waited for the enclosure to be breached.

Similar words

ouvrir une brèche
enfoncer les défenses

Undermine a claim

debate
formal
To attack an argument, belief or position so forcefully that it loses much of its strength.

Examples

  • Cette découverte bat en brèche la théorie dominante.
    This discovery undermines the prevailing theory.
  • L'avocat a battu en brèche chaque argument adverse.
    The lawyer demolished every opposing argument.
  • Le rapport bat en brèche l'idée d'une reprise rapide.
    The report undermines the idea of a rapid recovery.
  • De nouvelles preuves ont battu en brèche sa version des faits.
    New evidence has undermined his account of events.
  • Elle a battu en brèche ce préjugé par des exemples précis.
    She challenged that prejudice with specific examples.

Similar words

ébranler
réfuter
démolir
saper

Etymology

Literally “to strike a breach”: battre evokes repeated blows, and brèche is an opening in a wall. The figurative use carries the same image into debate.

FAQ

What does battre en brèche mean?

To breach a fortification or strongly undermine an idea.

Is the military meaning still understood?

Yes, especially in historical writing about sieges.

What can be battu en brèche figuratively?

An argument, theory, belief or established position.

Does the phrase mean mere disagreement?

No, it suggests a sustained and damaging attack.

What is a brèche?

An opening or gap, originally in a defensive wall.

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