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 your back — ► to work very hard: »He has been breaking his back to get the project finished on time. Main Entry: ↑break …   Financial and business terms

  • Break the Spell — Студийный аль …   Википедия

  • Break the Spell — Studioalbum von Daughtry Veröffentlichung 2011 Label RCA Records Format …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • 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

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