defeat a purpose vs break a purpose

The correct phrase is 'defeat a purpose.' 'Break a purpose' is not a common or correct phrase in English.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 116 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"defeat a purpose"

This phrase means to make something ineffective or useless, especially by going against the intended goal or objective.

Examples:

Adding sugar to the diet defeats the purpose of a healthy eating plan.
His constant interruptions defeated the purpose of the meeting.
Using a loudspeaker would defeat the purpose of a silent retreat.
The rainstorm defeated the purpose of having an outdoor picnic.
Not studying for the exam would defeat the purpose of going to school.

Show examples from the web [+]

Asking nurse jackson would defeat the purpose Of a ditch day on every possible level.
Well, you would have to do a currency exchange... to get the US dollar equivalent, but, I mean... that kind of defeats the purpose of a non-fiat currency, right?
It kind of defeats the purpose.
It defeats the purpose of shooting him in the first place.
When a back channel becomes public, it defeats its purpose.
Nature's unforgiving tempest and my own wounds conspired to defeat my purpose.
I'm pretty sure having a white kid in the group would defeat the purpose.
Defeats the purpose of locking it away.
I think, dear sister, that defeats the purpose.
It defeats the purpose of the entire thing.
Wait, I guessthat defeats the purpose.
But if the idea was to hide it, telling me would defeat the purpose.
Then that kind of defeats your purpose.
But if the idea was to hide it, telling me would defeat the purpose.
You do realize that defeats the purpose of having Jaguar?
If you don't wear 'em as you ride up, that just defeats the purpose.
Kind of defeats the purpose of e-mail when you have to print it all out for the fire anyway.
Look, there's no replacing either of you without an amount of work that would ultimately defeat the purpose.
If I didn't wear the suit, it would defeat the purpose.
I could, but that would defeat the purpose of doing it here.

Alternatives:

undermine a purpose
thwart a purpose
negate a purpose
nullify a purpose
contradict a purpose

This phrase is not a common or correct construction in English.

"break a purpose"

Show examples from the web [+]

That glasses do not break it on purpose.
But I really did not break your handphone on purpose.
Preparation: to remove the gall livers without break and tritateli purposes with parsley; make them taste the butter and add the chopped anchovies and capers, salt, pepper, flour and water.
Dad didn't break your leg on purpose, you know.
I did break your mug on purpose because I didn't want to see you sippin' chowder out of Shaquille O'neal's big head for the rest of my life!
The multi-purpose surface breaks the traditional barrier between the person behind the bar and the customer and the two benches stretch out towards the rest of the exhibition like open arms welcoming the guests in.
"Display size can make or break a room especially in a multi-purpose space," said Matt Dodd, Education Chair, CEDIA.
It is to break the will and spirit of a purpose is to break the children and make them live in fear and confusion so they become an inactive, unproductive generation.
Many times it is preferable not to talk than to break a heart, break a mind, break a spirit and even break a relationship.
Byrne's death served a purpose.
Everything I do serves a purpose.
You break a hand, you break a leg after a while, calcium joins it back together.
I don't think he could spontaneously break a bone but he could certainly stop his heart or break a key blood vessel in his brain.
I will not break a vow I made in the past.
We can break a window or something to the outside.
I plow through or break a wall.
So they'd break a sincerity meter.
And Dr. Miller called to say break a leg.
I took this job in London to break a vicious cycle of jealousy and suspicion.
Translated, he means you can break a leg tripping over bodies.

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defeat a purpose vs break a purpose

"defeat a purpose"

"break a purpose"

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