broach a subject
to open up a topic for discussion
TRANSLATION
broach a subject = ein etwas schwieriges bzw. heikles Thema ansprechen --- GOOGLE INDEX broach a subject: approximately 225,000 Google hits
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
One way to BROACH THE SUBJECT of divorce with a child is to think on his or her age level.
(wisegeek)
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I am rather disappointed that neither candidate BROACHED THE SUBJECT of the how they will deal with the current economic crisis.
(askville)
(wisegeek)
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I am rather disappointed that neither candidate BROACHED THE SUBJECT of the how they will deal with the current economic crisis.
(askville)
Did you
know?
broach a subject
phrase
- to begin a discussion of something difficult
(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
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WORD ORIGIN
Broach, originally meaning a pointed instrument, stems from the Old French "broche," a noun that referred to a thin, pointed rod which was placed through a piece of meat for roasting over an open fire (called a "spit" in English). Broach eventually took on a verb form meaning to "pierce or puncture," which is also related to the Old French "brochier" (to spur something on).
To broach a subject means to bring a topic up for discussion. In most cases this involves a delicate or sensitive subject. Does the neighbour's dog bark and howl all hours of the night, keeping the entire family awake? Then one would try and broach the subject with the neighbour.
As the story goes, in the mid-80s Clint Eastwood underwent a hair transplant. Shortly after the procedure, some of his children dropped by for a spontaneous visit. Though his head was wrapped in surgical bandages, Eastwood chatted with his kids as if nothing unusual had happened. At last, his daughter Alison broached the subject and asked: "What's wrong with your head, Dad?" Eastwood replied, "Uh, I had a bicycle accident."
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SYNONYMS
broach (verb)
approach, bring up, introduce, mention, propose, suggest, raise, touch on
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SMUGGLE OWAD INTO TODAY'S CONVERSATION:
"Bill might be having problems at home, could you broach the subject with him and let me know."
phrase
- to begin a discussion of something difficult
(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
---
WORD ORIGIN
Broach, originally meaning a pointed instrument, stems from the Old French "broche," a noun that referred to a thin, pointed rod which was placed through a piece of meat for roasting over an open fire (called a "spit" in English). Broach eventually took on a verb form meaning to "pierce or puncture," which is also related to the Old French "brochier" (to spur something on).
To broach a subject means to bring a topic up for discussion. In most cases this involves a delicate or sensitive subject. Does the neighbour's dog bark and howl all hours of the night, keeping the entire family awake? Then one would try and broach the subject with the neighbour.
As the story goes, in the mid-80s Clint Eastwood underwent a hair transplant. Shortly after the procedure, some of his children dropped by for a spontaneous visit. Though his head was wrapped in surgical bandages, Eastwood chatted with his kids as if nothing unusual had happened. At last, his daughter Alison broached the subject and asked: "What's wrong with your head, Dad?" Eastwood replied, "Uh, I had a bicycle accident."
---
SYNONYMS
broach (verb)
approach, bring up, introduce, mention, propose, suggest, raise, touch on
---
SMUGGLE OWAD INTO TODAY'S CONVERSATION:
"Bill might be having problems at home, could you broach the subject with him and let me know."
