"To break the law" means to act in a way that violates legal rules or regulations established by a governing authority. It involves engaging in behavior that is prohibited by law, such as committing crimes or offenses, as in the example: They break the law intentionally.
Translations
violar la ley
de wet overtreden
infringir la llei
enfreindre la loi
das Gesetz brechen
Etymology
The phrase "to break the law" combines the verb "break," which originates from Old English 'brecan,' meaning to shatter or violate, with "law," derived from Old Norse 'lagu,' meaning something laid down or fixed. Together, they metaphorically express the act of violating established rules. Did you know? The idea of 'breaking' something as a metaphor for disobeying rules dates back many centuries, reflecting physical damage as a symbol for moral or legal damage.
