bridge the gap
Americanidiom
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to create a connection between things that are separated either physically or metaphorically.
The mentorship program helps bridge the gap between middle school and high school.
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to fill in a gap or lack, as of time, money, understanding, or opportunity.
Student loans allow many to bridge the gap and be able to afford a college education.
Etymology
Origin of bridge the gap
First recorded in 1855–60, in the literal sense
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The plan is knowing what you have and what you need, and then figuring out how to bridge the gap between those two things,” she said.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026
Vision to Learn, a nonprofit, created a mobile eye clinic to help bridge the gap between kids failing school vision screenings and getting glasses.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026
Roughly 1.1 million barrels per day of imports are at risk, according to JPMorgan, but inventories remain sufficient to bridge the gap in the near term.
From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026
The partnerships with consultants aim to bridge the gap between what AI can potentially do and what it is used for today.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026
Although a number of artists have been competent in both painting and sculpture, only a handful managed to bridge the gap between them with complete success.
From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
