breach (of a dyke); make an exception
Meanings
2 senses · 8 examplesverb phrase
to breach; for a river dyke or embankment to be broken open by water
Literally refers to a dyke or levee being breached, causing a flood. Used in the context of water control.
Continuous heavy rain caused the river embankment to breach.
Once the dam breaches, the villages downstream will be in danger.
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The emergency team fought all night and finally sealed the breach.
verb phrase
to make an exception; to set a precedent; to relax a rule or restriction
informalA metaphorical usage meaning to break a precedent, relax rules, or create a loophole in policies, laws, or procedures. Often used in administrative, legal, or social contexts.
We cannot set this precedent, otherwise it will be difficult to manage in the future.
Rules are rules; I can't make an exception for you.
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Once this loophole in the policy is opened, it may cause many problems.
In order to attract investment, they created a tax loophole.
This kind of preferential treatment has no precedent; I cannot make this exception.