The phrase “break one’s fall” is used to describe the act of preventing someone from hitting the ground or another surface too hard when they fall. This phrase is commonly used in a figurative sense to describe someone or something that helps to lessen the impact of a difficult situation.
Definitions
The phrase “break one’s fall” is defined as the act of preventing someone from hitting the ground or another surface too hard when they fall. This can be accomplished by using one’s body or an object to cushion the fall.
Origin
The origin of the phrase “break one’s fall” is unclear, but it may have originated from the practice of using one’s body or an object to cushion a fall. This practice has been used for centuries to prevent injuries when falling from a height.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “break one’s fall” means to prevent someone from hitting the ground too hard when they fall. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “to reduce the impact of a fall by intervening in some way.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “to stop someone from hitting the ground or another surface too hard when they fall.”
Associations
The phrase “break one’s fall” is often associated with acts of kindness and protection. It can also be associated with bravery, as the person who breaks someone’s fall is putting themselves in harm’s way to help another person.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of “break one’s fall” include cushion, soften, mitigate, and lessen.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of “break one’s fall” include worsen, exacerbate, intensify, and aggravate.
The same root words
The root words of “break one’s fall” are “break” and “fall.” “Break” means to separate into pieces or to cause damage, while “fall” means to drop or descend from a higher to a lower place.
Example Sentences
- The gymnast’s coach was able to break her fall when she slipped off the balance beam.
- The cushions on the couch helped to break the child’s fall when he fell off the armrest.
- The safety net was put in place to break the performer’s fall in case of a mishap.
In conclusion, the phrase “break one’s fall” is used to describe the act of preventing someone from hitting the ground or another surface too hard when they fall. This phrase has been used for centuries to prevent injuries and is often associated with acts of kindness and protection.