When To Use The Idiom "Break the Back of" In A Sentence

The Idiom "Break the Back of" Meaning, Usage and Context

The idiom "break the back of" means to overcome the most difficult part of something. It is a figurative expression, as it does not literally mean to break the back of something. 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, a farmer might say that they had "broken the back of the harvest" once they had finished the most difficult part of the work.

The idiom "break the back of" can be used in a variety of contexts. It can be used to describe a physical task, such as moving a heavy object, or a mental task, such as solving a difficult problem. It can also be used to describe a challenge or obstacle that has been overcome.

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

• The firefighters broke the back of the fire after several hours of work.
• The company broke the back of the recession after a few tough years.
• The student broke the back of the exam by studying hard for the first few weeks.
• The athlete broke the back of the race by setting a fast pace early on.
• The politician broke the back of the campaign by winning the early primaries.
• The doctor broke the back of the disease by developing a new treatment.
• The team broke the back of the season by winning their first few games.
• The volunteers broke the back of the cleanup effort by clearing the debris from the first few blocks.
• The artist broke the back of the painting by finishing the background.
• The writer broke the back of the novel by finishing the first draft.

The idiom "break the back of" is a powerful way to describe the overcoming of a challenge. It can be used to express hope, determination, or even relief. The next time you are facing a difficult task, remember that you can "break the back of it" by taking it one step at a time.

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

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

Origin: The idiom "break the back of" 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, a farmer might say that they had "broken the back of the harvest" once they had finished the most difficult part of the work.

Synonyms: Some synonyms for the idiom "break the back of" include:

• overcome
• surmount
• vanquish
• conquer
• prevail

Antonyms: Some antonyms for the idiom "break the back of" include:

• fail
• give up
• succumb
• yield
• surrender

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