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break the back of

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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

See also: back, break

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? References in classic literature
"What Hewet fails to understand," he remarked, "is that we must break the back of the ascent before midday. The Voyage Out by Woolf, Virginia View in context More results

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break into
break loose
break new ground
break off
break open
break out
break ranks

break the back of
break the bank
break the ice
break the mold
break the mould
break the news
break up
break up with

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