die Bresche
breach
A gap or opening in a wall, rampart, or defensive line created by force, for example by shelling or an explosion.
EXAMPLE
Die Angreifer schlugen eine Bresche in die Stadtmauer.
The attackers made a breach in the city wall.
die Bresche
breach
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Meanings
in die Bresche springen
to step into the breach
To step in for someone who is in trouble, or to take on a difficult task that no one else wants to do. It means helping someone or defending them.
EXAMPLE
Als mein Kollege krank wurde, bin ich für ihn in die Bresche gesprungen und habe seine Präsentation gehalten.
When my colleague got sick, I stepped into the breach for him and gave his presentation.
Usage tips
Context clue
The verb reveals the meaning: verbs like 'schlagen' (to strike/make), 'brechen' (to break), or 'schießen' (to shoot) point to the literal meaning, a gap in a wall. The verb 'springen' (to jump), on the other hand, is part of the fixed idiom.
EXAMPLE
Die Artillerie schoss eine Bresche in die Festungsmauer.
The artillery blasted a breach in the fortress wall.
Typical collocations
In the literal, military sense, a breach is typically 'geschlagen' (made), 'gebrochen' (broken), or 'geschossen' (shot/blasted) 'in eine Mauer' (in a wall) or 'in die Verteidigung' (in the defenses).
EXAMPLE
Mit einer Ramme brachen sie eine Bresche in das Tor.
With a battering ram, they broke a breach in the gate.
Fixed expression
The idiom is 'für jemanden in die Bresche springen' (to step into the breach for someone). The preposition 'für' introduces the person or thing being helped. The expression is used as a whole.
EXAMPLE
Als niemand helfen wollte, ist sie für ihre Nachbarin in die Bresche gesprungen.
When no one wanted to help, she stepped into the breach for her neighbor.
Compare with
Bresche vs Lücke
gap
Lücke and Bresche can both refer to an opening in a wall. Bresche, however, is the more specific term for an opening in a wall, rampart, or defensive line created violently by shelling or an explosion. Lücke remains appropriate for other open spots.
Bresche
Die Explosion riss eine Bresche in die Mauer der Festung.
The explosion tore a breach in the fortress wall.
Lücke
Nach dem Unfall blieb eine große Lücke in der alten Mauer.
After the accident, a large gap remained in the old wall.
In real life
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