Cool MateCrack vs They broke through our defences
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Crack
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
They broke through our defences
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Crack
| Crack | They broke through our defences | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kræk/","/kræks/","/krækt/","/ˈkrækɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kræk/","/kræks/","/krækt/","/ˈkrækɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //breɪk θruː//🇺🇸 //breɪk θru// |
| Meaning | to break something into pieces or make a sound like a break | They succeeded in getting past our protection. |
| Example | He tried to crack the safe but was unsuccessful. | The attackers broke through our defences during the night. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | hard, crack under the pressure, crack under the strain, show signs of cracking, on | break through a barrier, break through resistance, break through limitations |
| Antonyms | fix, repair, join | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'crack' with non-physical objects incorrectly, like 'crack a thought.', Confusing 'crack' with 'break' in certain contexts., Using 'cracked' instead of 'crack' for the present tense. | Confused with 'break down', which means to stop functioning., Using 'break through' as a noun instead of a verb. |
| Usage notes | Use 'crack' when referring to breaking physical objects or when discussing solving puzzles or codes. It's neutral and appropriate in most contexts, both formal and informal. | Used in contexts of overcoming obstacles or difficulties. Appropriate in both military and metaphorical situations. Can imply success after struggle. |
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Frequently asked questions: Crack vs They broke through our defences
What's the difference between Crack and They broke through our defences?
Crack: to break something into pieces or make a sound like a break They broke through our defences: They succeeded in getting past our protection.
Which is more common: Crack and They broke through our defences?
Crack is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Crack: He tried to crack the safe but was unsuccessful. They broke through our defences: The attackers broke through our defences during the night.
Can I use Crack and They broke through our defences interchangeably?
Not always. Crack and They broke through our defences are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.