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break the back of

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break the back of something

Fig. to end the domination of something; to reduce the power of something. The government has worked for years to break the back of organized crime. This new medicine should break the back of the epidemic.

See also: back, break, 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

See also: back, break, of

break the back of something

 

1. to defeat an enemy or to deal with an unpleasant situation There is evidence that government troops have broken the back of the resistance.

2. (british) to complete the worst or biggest part of the job We managed to break the back of the building work before the weather changed.

See also: back, break, of

break the back of

Overpower, overcome; also, get through the hardest part of. For example, This new offense has broken the back of the opposing team, or We're well over halfway there; we've broken the back of this journey. [Mid-1800s]

See also: back, break, of