break the back of

break the back of
break the back of (something) to destroy something.

Police are hoping they can break the back of these gangs.

Experts say we will have to live in a state of high alert until we break the back of terrorism.

Etymology: based on the idea that breaking the back of an animal or person usually kills it

New idioms dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • break the back of — phrasal to subdue the main force of < break the back of inflation > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • break the back of — verb To achieve the greater part of some project. Ive broken the back of painting the shed Ill finish it after lunch …   Wiktionary

  • To break the back — Break Break (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. {broke} (br[=o]k), (Obs. {Brake}); p. p. {Broken} (br[=o] k n), (Obs. {Broke}); p. pr. & vb. n. {Breaking}.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Break the Bank (1948) — Break the Bank was a quiz show which aired variously on ABC, CBS and NBC from 1948 through 1957. It began on radio, and generally had Bert Parks as a host. Bud Collyer co hosted from 1948 through 1953. Gameplay Contestants were drawn from the… …   Wikipedia

  • To break the heart — Break Break (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. {broke} (br[=o]k), (Obs. {Brake}); p. p. {Broken} (br[=o] k n), (Obs. {Broke}); p. pr. & vb. n. {Breaking}.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To break the ice — Break Break (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. {broke} (br[=o]k), (Obs. {Brake}); p. p. {Broken} (br[=o] k n), (Obs. {Broke}); p. pr. & vb. n. {Breaking}.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To break the neck — Break Break (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. {broke} (br[=o]k), (Obs. {Brake}); p. p. {Broken} (br[=o] k n), (Obs. {Broke}); p. pr. & vb. n. {Breaking}.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Break the Ice — Infobox Single Name = Break the Ice Artist = Britney Spears from Album = Blackout B side = Everybody Released = March 28, 2008 (see release history) Format = Airplay, CD single, digital download, maxi single, 5 single, 12 single Genre =… …   Wikipedia

  • Break the Bank (1985) — Infobox Television show name = Break the Bank genre = Game show writer = Rob Lloyd director = Richard S. Kline starring = Gene Rayburn (1985) Joe Farago (1985 6) narrated = Michael Hanks country = USA language = English executive producer =… …   Wikipedia

  • Break the Safe — Infobox Game title = Break the Safe subtitle = Board Game designer = Mattel players = 2 4 ages = 8+ setup time …   Wikipedia

  • Break the Rules — Infobox Album Name = Break the Rules Type = Album Artist = Namie Amuro Released = December 20, 2000 Recorded = Baybridge Studio, DARP Studios, Guillaume Tell, Larrabee Sound Studio, Ocean Way Recording, On Air Azabu Studio, Stanley House, TK Disc …   Wikipedia

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