The Idiom "Break One's Back" Meaning And Examples

The Idiom "Break One's Back"

The idiom "break one's back" means to work extremely hard, often to the point of exhaustion. It is a figurative expression, as it does not literally mean that someone's back is broken. The idiom is thought to have originated in the 16th century, and it is believed to be related to the physical labor that was common at the time. For example, farmers would often work long hours in the fields, and they would sometimes literally break their backs from the strain.

The idiom "break one's back" can be used in a variety of contexts. It can be used to describe someone who is working very hard on a physical task, such as a construction worker lifting a heavy beam. It can also be used to describe someone who is working very hard on a mental task, such as a student studying for an exam.

Here are some examples of how the idiom "break one's back" can be used in sentences:

The farmer broke his back working in the fields all day.
The construction worker broke his back lifting the heavy beam.
The student broke her back studying for the exam.
The mother broke her back taking care of her three young children.
The CEO broke his back working long hours to make the company successful.
The athlete broke his back training for the Olympics.
The soldier broke his back fighting in the war.
The volunteer broke her back helping out at the soup kitchen.
The artist broke his back creating his masterpiece.
The writer broke her back writing her novel.

The idiom "break one's back" is a powerful way to describe the amount of hard work that someone is putting into something. It can be used to express admiration, sympathy, or even a sense of awe. The next time you see someone working hard, don't be afraid to tell them that they are "breaking their back."

Part of speech: The idiom "break one's back" is a verb phrase. It is made up of the verb "break" and the prepositional phrase "one's back."

Usage: The idiom "break one's back" is typically used in informal speech and writing. It is not commonly used in formal contexts.

Origin: The idiom "break one's back" is thought to have originated in the 16th century. It is believed to be related to the physical labor that was common at the time. For example, farmers would often work long hours in the fields, and they would sometimes literally break their backs from the strain.

Synonyms: Some synonyms for the idiom "break one's back" include:

work oneself to the bone
slave away
labor tirelessly
toil endlessly
put in the hours

Antonyms: Some antonyms for the idiom "break one's back" include:

loaf around
take it easy
slack off
procrastinate
do the bare minimum

I hope this blog post has helped you to understand the meaning, usage, and origin of the idiom "break one's back." Please feel free to use it in your own writing and speech.

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