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Glite Dictionary
to broach the subject

to broach the subject

6 6.7
To start talking about a topic that may be difficult or sensitive
  • phrasal verb
  • /broʊtʃ ðə ˈsʌbdʒɪkt/
: plantear el tema
  • "Where... was he?" I said, finally broaching the subject we had so far avoided.

And it was a completely outside his morality and mine to even broach the subject.

Examples

  • And, um, I don't quite know how to broach the subject.

    Freakier Friday (2025)

  • If a researcher could interview people with AIDS, could she broach the subject of risky sex?

    Academic text (2006)

  • Do I broach the subject or do you?

    Penitentiary II (1982)

  • But we have a lot of work to do before we even broach the subject.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • One night I did broach the subject of the Christmas dance.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • From that point on, we never broached the subject, like two people who had fallen off a diet.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • During his 2006 visit to the United States, Hu went out of his way to broach the subject at each stop.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Just last month, Shana had come home in a particularly nasty mood, and Lily had broached the subject again.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • In conversation with some Beijing University professors, I gently broached the subject of China's harsh treatment of Tibet.

    Academic text (1990)

  • During our meeting, I finally decided to broach the subject of my promotion.

Synonyms

to talk about
vsto broach the subject
∞ 1.3

Speak with someone about a subject

is about introducing topics, often sensitive, rather than casual mention
to discuss
vsto broach the subject
∞ 1.6

To talk with other people about something, often in detail

focuses on starting a sensitive topic rather than detailed ongoing discussion
to bring up
vsto broach the subject
788 2.6

To mention a subject for discussion

focuses more on sensitive or difficult topics rather than any topic
to broach
vsto broach the subject
23 7.4

To bring up a difficult or sensitive subject

is used as a fixed phrase for introducing a sensitive topic
to raise the issue
vsto broach the subject
22 3.7

To bring up a topic or problem for discussion

is used more for interpersonal sensitive topics than administrative issues
to bring forward
vsto broach the subject
5 3.9

To present an idea or plan for people to discuss

is more about raising delicate topics in conversation than formal presentation

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to drop the topic
3.3

To stop talking about a subject

How Direct

to confront
310 4.1
to address
211 3.9
to broach the subject
6 6.7
to bring up
788 2.6
to mention
∞ 1.0
hint
229 1.5

Surface Forms

broach the subject infinitive
broaching the subject present participle
broaches the subject third person singular
broached the subject past
broached the subject past participle

Morphology

broach + the + subject

The meaning 'to bring up or introduce a topic' is directly derivable from combining 'broach' (to bring up a delicate or awkward matter) with 'the subject' (a topic). This follows a standard verb + noun composition and is conceptually transparent, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would understand the MWE.

Etymology

Broach the subject may come from the old act of broaching a wooden barrel: someone would pierce a sealed barrel to let wine or beer flow out. That's why today the phrase means 'to bring up' a topic, often one that is difficult or sensitive.