Circumstance and response

abreast

uh-BREST · adverb

Side by side and facing the same direction; informed and up to date.

Hikers moving side by side along a ridge, a mnemonic for abreast

Memory connection

Picture “a-braced

Hikers move along a ridge as if braced together, shoulders even and bodies side by side. They walk abreast.

The sound cue helps you reach the scene; the action in the scene carries you from the scene to the definition.

Use it accurately

Meaning in context

The editor reads industry reports to stay abreast of new research.
The weekly briefing keeps volunteers abreast of changes to the schedule.

Stay abreast of means remain informed about. Walk abreast means move side by side in a line.

Common patterns

  • stay abreast of
  • keep someone abreast
  • walk two abreast

Quick check

Can you retrieve the meaning?

To stay abreast of the news is to…

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