break the back of

English

Pronunciation
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Verb

break the back of (third-person singular simple present breaks the back of, present participle breaking the back of, simple past broke the back of, past participle broken the back of)

  1. (idiomatic) To complete the greater part of (a project).
    I've broken the back of painting the shed – I'll finish it after lunch.
  2. To overburden (a person).
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