Phrase guide

step into the breach

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To do a task that one is not ordinarily expected to do because there is no one else to do it.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: leap into the breach, jump into the breach

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: tulla tilalle — Translations
  • Finnish: tulla apuun — Translations
  • French: prendre le relai — Translations
  • French: remplacer — Translations
  • German: in die Bresche springen — Translations
  • Polish: wypełniać lukę — Translations
  • Polish: wypełnić lukę — Translations
  • Russian: подмени́ть (podmenítʹ) — Translations
  • Russian: замести́ть (zamestítʹ) — Translations
  • Russian: заступи́ть (zastupítʹ) — Translations
  • Russian: замени́ть (zamenítʹ) — Translations
  • Russian: вы́ручить (výručitʹ) — Translations
  • Russian: прийти́ на вы́ручку (prijtí na výručku) — Translations
  • Russian: взять в свои́ ру́ки (vzjatʹ v svoí rúki) — Translations
  • Russian: взять бразды́ правле́ния (vzjatʹ brazdý pravlénija) — Translations
  • Russian: встать у руля́ (vstatʹ u ruljá) — Translations
  • Russian: приня́ть эстафе́ту (prinjátʹ estafétu) — Translations