PhrasesHub

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more

    Definitions

      • encourage someone
        Rally or motivate others to face a difficult situation or task with determination and courage

      • call for action
        Urge others to come together and make a collective effort to overcome a challenge or obstacle

    Examples of Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more

    • The football team's coach rallied his players with the famous Shakespearean line, "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more."

      This example shows how the idiom is used as a motivational or rallying cry. "Breach" in this context refers to the opponent's defense, and the phrase encourages the team to attack it again.

    • The CEO addressed the board of directors, "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more."

      Here, the CEO is invoking the spirit of determination and persistence in the face of challenges. The breach could be a difficult financial situation, a market challenge, or any type of obstacle that the company needs to face again.

    • The historian gave a stirring speech at the museum, "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more."

      This example shows how the idiom can be used to call for historical reenactment or simulation. "Breach" would be replaced by the historical location that is being reenacted.

    • The teacher told her class, "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more."

      In this example, the idiom is used to encourage academic persistence and determination. The breach could be an assignment or exam that the students need to face again.

    • The coach rallied his team with the classic Shakespearean phrase, "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more!"

      This example shows how the idiom is used to inspire and motivate a group of people to face a challenging situation head-on, as in the context of a sports team preparing for a game. The coach uses the phrase to instill confidence and a sense of solidarity among his players, urging them to fight hard once again against their opponents. By drawing on the imagery and language of Shakespeare's famous play, "Henry V," the coach is able to infuse his speech with a sense of gravitas and historical resonance, helping his team to feel that they are part of a long and honorable tradition of courage and determination. The use of this idiom is powerful and evocative, harking back to the spirit of medieval English chivalry and reinforcing the idea that the team's performance on the field is a matter of honor and duty, rather than just a game. In short, it is a call to arms that fires the team's spirits and galvanizes them for battle.

    • The team lost their first two matches, but they're not giving up. Coach Jones rallied them with the famous Shakespearean line, "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more." They're determined to fight until the end.

      The phrase "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more" is used to express the idea of facing a challenge or difficulty head-on again. In this example, the team has already lost two matches but their coach is motivating them to keep trying and fight to the end, just as Shakespeare's characters in "Henry V" faced their enemies once more.

    • The company faced a major setback with the product launch, but they refused to back down. They took a deep breath, steeled themselves, and said, "Once more unto the breach, dear colleagues, once more." They knew that they couldn't give up now, they had to try again.

      "Once more unto the breach, dear colleagues, once more" is used to say that a new attempt is needed, after a failure or setback. It encourages people to face the challenges they've encountered and try again, just as the characters in "Henry V" faced their enemies again.

    • The author struggled to finish her novel due to writer's block, but she picked up her pen once more and said, "Once more unto the breach, dear muse, once more." She knew that she couldn't let her creativity fade away, she had to keep trying until she found her way again.

      "Once more unto the breach, dear muse, once more" is used to encourage someone to continue with a creative pursuit, even after facing difficulties. Just as Shakespeare's characters faced their enemies again, the author is facing writer's block again, but she's determined to keep going and find inspiration once more.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more" is often used to encourage and rally others to face a difficult situation or to call for collective action in overcoming a challenge. It conveys a sense of determination, courage, and unity in the face of adversity.

    Origin of "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more"

    The idiom "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more" originates from William Shakespeare's play Henry V. In Act III, Scene I, King Henry delivers a rousing speech to his troops, urging them to bravely face the imminent battle. The phrase "once more unto the breach" refers to the soldiers storming the breach in a wall or fortification, emphasizing the need for them to make a renewed effort in the face of danger.

    Shakespeare's use of the idiom captures the spirit of determination and unity in the face of adversity, making it a powerful and enduring phrase that continues to be used to encourage and motivate others in difficult circumstances.