Broached for Dummies

Broached is a word that we use to describe when someone brings up or starts a topic or a conversation. Think about it like this - you know when you have a bottle of soda that's closed tightly with a cap? Well, when you twist the cap open and that whoosh of air comes out, you have just "broached" the bottle. It's like you're giving access to what's inside the bottle once you open it, right? The same idea applies to using the word "broached" in a conversation. When you bring up a topic or start talking about something, it's like you're opening up that bottle, giving access to the conversation, and letting the words flow out.

So, imagine you're in class, and your friend wants to talk about a really cool video game they played over the weekend. Your friend starts the conversation by saying, "Hey, have you played this awesome video game called XYZ?" Well, in this case, your friend has "broached" the topic of the video game, because they brought it up and started talking about it. Similarly, if you want to ask your teacher about the homework assignment, you can "broach" the subject by saying, "Excuse me, but can you explain the homework to me?"

Now, let's explore another way we can use the word "broached." Sometimes, it can also mean that someone has approached a difficult or sensitive subject. Think of it this way - when you approach a big, scary dog, it can be intimidating, right? Well, when you "broach" a difficult subject, it can also feel a bit intimidating, like you're cautiously approaching a potentially challenging or awkward topic.

For example, imagine you want to talk to your friend about a problem you're having with another friend, but you're afraid it might upset them. So, you carefully say, "Hey, there's something I'd like to talk to you about. It's a bit difficult, but I wanted to see if you could help me figure out how to handle the situation." In this case, you have "broached" the sensitive topic of a friendship issue by approaching it carefully and respectfully.

So, to sum it up, when we say someone has "broached" something, it means they have brought up or started a conversation or topic. It's like opening a soda bottle to let the words flow out or cautiously approaching a difficult subject. By understanding this word, you'll be able to recognize when someone is starting a conversation or when it's okay for you to bring up a topic yourself.