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Break the mold

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

To do something in a new, unconventional way that defies tradition.

Detailed Definition
Break the mold celebrates originality and innovation, a favorite in odes to pioneers and artistic rebels.
Example
Example in poetry:
“To break the mold, she let the sestina speak in text messages,” joins innovation to form; Whitman’s expansive free verse is often taught as breaking inherited poetic molds; “Break the mold,” the mentor says, “but learn what it held first,” balances experiment and craft; A visual poem can break the mold by arranging its lines as a map or circuit
Additional Notes
"Break the mold" educational notes champion originality, key for avant-garde studies. Tip: Link to pioneers. Related: "bend the rules." Professors explore rebellion's literary history and innovation costs.
Also Known As
break convention innovate pioneer create a new pattern defy tradition be original
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