breaking the mold

[shirley121]

How did the phrase "breaking the mold" develop?

[Octavius]

Because when they made me thats what they did!

It means that something is unique/special and should not be duplicated.  Alternatively it could be the opposite.  Essentially it means, there should only be one of these/those things.

Hence, they broke the mould when they made ...

[New Forester]

The idea is that each person is cast in a mould, like a bronze statue.  Each mould could make lots of statues the same, but if you break it there will be no more like that.

 

It is used to mean that a person is special, and no other person is ever likely to be quite like them.  Usually it's when someone is specially wonderful, but can also be used ironically.

[tigga]

Im sure ive heard it used in a similar way, however as an insult (not to me by the way) lol- ive heard 'they broke the mold after they made him' as they wouldnt want another the same.