broken field
noun
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broken field
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broken-field
broken-fieldadjectiveperformed, as by a ball-carrier, in a wide-open area covered by few defensive players, as opposed to the heavily trafficked area near the line of scrimmage.
broken field
1 Americannoun
broken-field
2
American
[broh-kuhn-feeld]
/ ˈbroʊ kənˈfild /
adjective
Football.
Etymology
Origin of broken field1
An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900
Origin of broken-field2
An Americanism dating back to 1920–25
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 superb Sititi surged through broken field and almost laid on a third try just before half-time, with Vaa'i just unable to reel in his pass with the line beckoning.
From BBC • Nov. 2, 2024
His teammate Perry called him the best broken field runner he had ever seen.
From Washington Post • Jun. 23, 2022
De Laura fired a pass at midfield to Joey Hobert, who made a great broken field run to complete a 55-yard touchdown and lift Washington State to a 17-10 lead late in the third.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 9, 2021
Manoa gets it back though and MacGinty goes searing through the broken field, dummying and getting up to the 22.
From The Guardian • Sep. 20, 2015
He swept it along Powers Avenue, dodging in and out among the traffic of the busy city like a halfback through a broken field after a kick.
From The Vision Splendid by Raine, William MacLeod
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.
