to storm the Bastille
1
9.1
- idiom
:
asaltar la Bastilla
- Instead, it's first they storm the Bastille, and then they're like, OK, what next?
Instead, it's first they storm the Bastille, and then they're like, OK, what next?
- Instead, it's first they storm the Bastille, and then they're like, OK, what next?
Examples
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In their determination to create change, the citizens felt it was time to storm the Bastille and confront the ruling elite.
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The protesters decided to storm the Bastille to demand justice from the corrupt government.
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Many artists and activists are ready to storm the Bastille and challenge the oppressive policies in place.
Synonyms
102
5.7
To attack and take a place suddenly with force
Antonyms
How Forceful
127
5.1
1
9.1
∞
1.4
578
2.5
161
2.6
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The verb 'storm' (to attack suddenly) combined with a known proper noun 'Bastille' yields a clear literal image of attacking a fortress, so part of the meaning is directly derivable from the constituents. However, the expression often functions metaphorically to mean attacking or challenging a powerful institution and relies on historical/cultural knowledge of the Bastille as a symbol of oppression, so the broader, figurative sense is not fully predictable for a B1 learner without prior exposure.
Etymology
The expression storm the Bastille comes from 1789 when a Paris crowd stormed the Bastille, a strong prison and a sign of the king's power. The image of people breaking into a powerful fortress is now used to mean 'to attack or challenge a powerful institution'.