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break the mold

[/breɪk ðə moʊld/]
verb phrase
quebrar o molde
1. To do something different from what is traditional or expected; to reject conventional patterns or standards
She broke the mold by becoming the first woman CEO in her industry.
Ela quebrou o molde ao se tornar a primeira mulher CEO em sua indústria.
2. To create a new standard or way of doing things that differs from established norms
This innovative startup broke the mold in the tech industry.
Essa startup inovadora quebrou o molde na indústria de tecnologia.
NYC Slang
keep it real, do your own thing
Synonyms
think outside the boxgo against the grainbe unconventionalchallenge the status quoinnovate
Antonyms
follow the normconformstick to conventionplay by the rules

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
quebrar o molde
Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
quebrar o molde / sair do padrão
Both expressions commonly used in business and creative contexts
Portugal
quebrar o molde / sair fora do comum
Portuguese also uses 'sair fora do comum' (step outside the ordinary)

Related Idioms & Phrases

think outside the box
go against the grain
color outside the lines
forge a new path
challenge the status quo
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