break the back of

break the back of (something)

1. To quell something or destroy it altogether. This new initiative aims to break the back of the drug trade in our country.
2. To complete the most challenging part of a task or project. When you take the exam, you should break the back of the chemical equations first, since they give you the most trouble.
See also: back, break, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

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
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

break the back of

1 accomplish the main or hardest part of a task. 2 overwhelm or defeat.
See also: back, break, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • break the back of (something)
  • break the back of something
  • take an axe to
  • put (something) into service
  • smash (something) to smithereens
  • plumb new depths
  • plumb new depths (of something)
  • knock the bottom out
  • knock the bottom out of
  • knock the bottom out of (someone or something)
References in classic literature
"What Hewet fails to understand," he remarked, "is that we must break the back of the ascent before midday." He was assisting a young lady, by name Evelyn Murgatroyd, as he spoke.
The Voyage Out
If that shepherd be not in hand-fast, let him fly; the curses he shall have, the tortures he shall feel, will break the back of man, the heart of monster.
The Prairie
IANS Srinagar Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that India will fight terror in Indian-administered Kashmir with all its might and "break the back of terrorism".
India will break the back of terrorism in Kashmir: Modi
Frieden said the model shows something other models out there do not--that a surge in response "can break the back of the epidemic....
New modeling tool allows for estimations of Ebola cases
Do not go too far, or you will break the back of the organization.
Lessons in leadership conference; good leaders are effective managers - MacKenzie. (Northern Ontario Business Awards 2002)
"They must come in and offer the shares to us to break the back of this cost-of-living cartel that we have in the country," he told the National Assembly during debate on the 2001 National Budget.
U.S. CHAIN STORES MAY BE INVITED
"Bondholders are likely to take a tough stance because Ecuador's debt is too small to break the back of any banks."
Carrion at Ecuador's Gate
He said: "This is a huge national effort to break the back of long-term youth unemployment once and for all."
Just the ticket to get back to work
We don't have the overhead so we are able to make it cost-effective for us to move into the property and break the back of the leasing," said Kligerman.
New hope for Downtown building
Hyperinflation II--The Cure--In 1980, Ronald Reagan ran for president with a two-issue campaign: to free the hostages in Iran and to break the back of the hyperinflation that was ruining the economy.
Competing in the 1990s; no longer business as usual