breach of the peace
breach of the peace — noun
1. a formal legal accusation that a person has made too much noise, used threatenin
a formal legal accusation that a person has made too much noise, used threatening words, or behaved violently in a public place, putting other people in fear or causing disorder
Naoko was charged with breach of the peace after shouting at the mayor in public.
passive: be charged with breach of the peace
The officer warned that loud music could lead to a breach of the peace charge.
collocation: lead to a breach of the peace charge
Aarav agreed to leave quietly, so the police did not press a breach of the peace charge.
Under Scottish law, breach of the peace covers behaviour that alarms members of the public.
The magistrate dismissed the breach of the peace case after the only witness withdrew her statement.
- disorderly conduct
US legal equivalent; less common in UK law, narrower scope (typically covers intoxication or fighting)
- public order offence
broader category in UK law that includes breach of the peace alongside other offences like affray and riot
文法句型
be charged with breach of the peace
commit a breach of the peace
用法筆記
In UK and Scottish law, this is a specific criminal charge that applies when someone's behaviour causes alarm, distress, or fear of violence in a public place. The police may issue a warning or arrest without a warrant if they reasonably believe a breach of the peace is about to happen.
常見錯誤
2. a situation in which people argue, fight, or make a loud noise in a public space
a situation in which people argue, fight, or make a loud noise in a public space, disturbing others and threatening the normal order of the community
The argument between two drivers turned into a breach of the peace on the high street.
collocation: turn into a breach of the peace
Salma called the police when a breach of the peace broke out between rival fans.
collocation: a breach of the peace breaks out
The pub owner was fined for failing to stop a breach of the peace during a match.
Even a loud verbal fight on a sidewalk can be a breach of the peace.
Jude was asked to leave after his shouting caused a breach of the peace among diners.
- public disturbance
more general term; not restricted to legal contexts
- affray
UK legal term for fighting in public that causes a person of reasonable firmness to be frightened; more violent than a breach of the peace
- public order
the normal state of peace and quiet in a community that a breach of the peace disturbs
文法句型
cause a breach of the peace
constitute a breach of the peace
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (LEGAL CHARGE): this sense refers to the actual event of disturbance, not the formal legal accusation. In everyday language, people may say 'a breach of the peace' to describe a noisy or violent incident in public even when no charge is filed.