break the mold

Meaning: To abandon convention and do something radically new or different.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Category: Daily Life

Origin: Literal metaphor from mold-casting: once you break the mold, you cannot produce an identical object, forcing originality.

More idioms — Daily Life

hoist by one's own petard — To be harmed or destroyed by one's own trap or scheme meant to injure someone else.
ace up one's sleeve — A hidden advantage or secret resource kept in reserve to use when needed.
old fogey — An elderly person with old-fashioned or reactionary views.
bash into shape — To shape, repair, or train something or someone by vigorous, rough, or direct methods.
in the same boat — In a shared predicament or situation; facing the same difficulties or circumstances toget…
go along for the ride — To accompany someone passively, without taking an active role or responsibility.

sleep with the fishes — To be dead, with one's body disposed of in the ocean or a large body of water.
Augean stables — An extremely filthy, corrupt, or morally decayed place or situation that seems impossible…
on eternal patrol — Lost or missing at sea, presumed dead.
play with house money — To take risks when one has nothing personal to lose, or to act recklessly because the sta…
all mouth and trousers — Full of loud boasting and empty talk, lacking substance or follow-through.
turn on one's heel — To suddenly depart or walk away, often in a dramatic or dismissive manner.

As good to be out of the world as out of the fashion. — Social irrelevance destroys one's sense of existence as thoroughly as physical death.
Every one basteth the fat hog, while the lean one burneth. — Abundance attracts care and investment; scarcity receives neglect and harm.
Every one puts his fault on the times. — People habitually blame circumstances and bad luck rather than acknowledging their own re…