break the law

Meaning

This phrase means to do something illegal or commit an offense that is punishable by the legal system. It can refer to minor infractions (like speeding) or major crimes. The tone is serious and objective, used in legal, news, and everyday contexts.

Examples

• Even if you don't agree with the speed limit, you are still breaking the law.

  Even if you don't agree with the speed limit, you are still breaking the law.

• He claims he didn't know he was breaking the law when he downloaded the software.

  He claims he didn't know he was breaking the law when he downloaded the software.

• Anyone who breaks the law should be prepared to face the consequences.

  Anyone who breaks the law should be prepared to face the consequences.

• The company was fined heavily for breaking the law regarding waste disposal.

  The company was fined heavily for breaking the law regarding waste disposal.

• I would never ask you to break the law just to help me out.

  I would never ask you to break the law just to help me out.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He was arrested because he broke a law.

  ✓ He was arrested because he broke the law.

  Native speakers almost always use the definite article 'the law' to refer to the legal system as a whole, rather than 'a law'.

• ✗ They were accused of breaking the laws.

  ✓ They were accused of breaking the law.

  The singular form 'the law' is the standard collective idiom for the legal system in this context.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Downloading copyrighted movies without paying is a common way people ___.

  💡 Commit an illegal act.

  Show answer

  break the law

• He didn't realize that parking in front of the fire hydrant was ___.

  💡 Doing something illegal (continuous form).

  Show answer

  breaking the law