break the back of

break the back of
break the back of
1. To overburden
2. To accomplish the hardest part of
• • •
Main Entry:back

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do the hardest part of (a task)

we've broken the back of the problem

overwhelm or defeat

I thought we really had broken the back of inflation

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break the back of
: to get control of (something you are trying to stop or defeat) : to greatly weaken or subdue (something)

He says the government's new policies will break the back of inflation.

• • •
Main Entry:back
————————
break the back of — see back, 1
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Main Entry:break

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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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

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  • 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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