Once more unto the breach
Once more unto the breach means making another determined attempt at something difficult, often with others; it appears in Shakespeare’s Henry V, when Henry urges his soldiers to attack a gap in the walls of Harfleur.
Where it comes from
The gap in the wall
A breach is a gap broken through a defensive wall. In Henry V, the phrase belongs to a battle speech, not a quiet appeal for patience.
During the siege of Harfleur, Henry rallies his soldiers to renew their assault through an opening in the town’s defences.
In Henry V by William Shakespeare
Another determined effort
Today the phrase can encourage another attempt at a demanding task. It often adds a playful note of battlefield courage to an ordinary difficulty.
In Henry V, Henry calls on his soldiers to summon fresh courage and return to the attack. That renewed effort is the part of the scene carried into everyday use.
In Henry V by William Shakespeare
How to use Once more unto the breach
- Use it when returning to a difficult task.
- Choose a serious or gently humorous tone.
- Keep its battle setting in mind.
What does breach mean here?
A breach here means an opening broken through a defensive wall. In Henry V, Henry wants his troops to attack through that opening at Harfleur, so the phrase carries a sense of danger and renewed effort.
Can it be used jokingly?
Yes, it can jokingly make an ordinary task sound like a brave return to battle. Someone might use it before another round of revision or a difficult meeting, borrowing the determination of the speech in Henry V.
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