break the law

You use this phrase as a verb. You can say someone broke the law in the past or is breaking the law right now. It is a 'collocation,' which means these words always stick together. We don't usually say 'damage the law' or 'crack the law.' Just stick with break. It is simple and everyone understands it immediately.

Use it when discussing serious topics like news or court cases. You can also use it in daily life. For example, if your friend wants to park where it is forbidden, you might say, "Don't do that, you're breaking the law!" It works in professional meetings and at the dinner table. It is a very versatile phrase for any situation involving rules.

Don't use it for small social mistakes. If you forget to say "thank you," you aren't breaking the law. You are just being rude! Also, don't use it for games. If you cheat at Monopoly, you are breaking the rules, not the law. Unless, of course, you actually stole real money from your friends. Then we have a bigger problem!

In English-speaking cultures, there is a strong emphasis on the 'rule of law.' This means the law applies to everyone equally. The phrase break the law carries a bit of weight. It implies a loss of integrity. However, in movies and music, 'outlaws' or people who break the law are sometimes seen as cool rebels. It is a mix of serious consequences and pop-culture fascination.

You might hear people say lawbreaker to describe the person. Another common one is against the law. For example, "It is against the law to smoke here." If someone breaks a very specific, small rule, they might say they are violating a code. But break the law remains the king of these expressions. It is the one you will hear the most in movies and news reports.