What does 'bridge the gap' mean?
Definition
Meaning: Bridge the gap means to reduce or eliminate a difference, distance, or disparity between two things, people, or groups.
La signification : Bridge the gap signifie réduire ou éliminer une différence, une distance ou une disparité entre deux choses, personnes ou groupes.
Example: The new protocol helped bridge the gap between the ER staff and the surgical team for faster patient transfers.
Grammar: Idiom (verb phrase). Used to describe actions that connect or reconcile differing entities or situations.
Quote: “We need to bridge the gap between research and practice to improve patient outcomes.” [@HealthJournal]
N.B.: The phrase evokes the image of building a bridge to cross a divide, often used in contexts like communication, understanding, or resource allocation in the ER.
Word Analysis
Français
»» Réduire l’écart
»» Combler le fossé
»» Rapprocher
Le programme de formation a aidé à bridge the gap entre les nouvelles recrues et les médecins expérimentés.
Les réunions régulières ont permis de bridge the gap dans la communication entre les équipes.
English
»» Bridge the gap
»» Reduce the divide
»» Connect
The training program helped bridge the gap between new interns and seasoned doctors in the ER.
Regular meetings narrowed the divide in communication between departments.
Dialogue
Dr. Lee: "Why are patient handoffs taking so long?"
Nurse Patel: "We’re working to bridge the gap with better communication tools."
Dr. Lee: "Good. We need to connect the teams more effectively."
Nurse Patel: "The new system should narrow the divide by next week."
Etymology
Origin: From the literal idea of a bridge connecting two separated points, combined with “gap” as a space or difference. First used figuratively in the 20th century.
Modern Usage: Common in professional contexts like the ER to describe efforts to improve coordination, communication, or equality.
Grammar Note: Idiomatic verb phrase, typically used with a subject and object (e.g., “They bridged the gap between teams”).
Audience
Ideal for professionals in collaborative or interdisciplinary settings, such as medical teams, educators, or managers.
When to use: Use bridge the gap when describing efforts to reduce differences or improve connections in critical situations. Example: “The new system helped bridge the gap in the ER workflow.”
Extra! Extra!
For a visoral exploration of bridge the gap, check out the following videos:
What 'bridge the gap' means
Bridge the gap: verb phrase
Wordreference
For more on our word of the day and its usage, visit WordReference for definitions, translations, and examples in context.
Here are some quick links for further exploration:
» English⇄English – Discuss and learn about words and their usage.
» English⇄French – Explore translations and linguistic nuances.
» Synonyms⇄Antonyms – Contextual variations, etc.
Common Expressions & Collocations
Bridge the gap between
Reduce the difference or distance between two entities.
Example: "The new protocol helped bridge the gap between the ER and surgical teams."
Bridge the communication gap
Improve understanding or coordination through better communication.
Example: "Daily briefings bridged the communication gap in the ER."
Bridge the knowledge gap
Address deficiencies in understanding or expertise.
Example: "Training sessions were designed to bridge the knowledge gap for new staff."
Reduce the divide
Lessen the separation between groups or ideas (similar meaning).
Example: "The initiative reduced the divide between departments."
Connect
Bring together or link (related term).
Example: "The system connected the teams for better collaboration."
Narrow the gap
Decrease the difference or disparity (similar term).
Example: "The new tools helped narrow the gap in patient care delays."
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