break the back of
The idiom "break the back of" is commonly used to describe overcoming the most challenging part of a task or problem, making the rest easier to manage.
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Definition
B2General
(informal)To complete the hardest or most critical part of a task or problem.
Example
- We've finally broken the back of the project; the rest should be smooth sailing.
- Once you break the back of the assignment, the remaining sections will be easier to handle.
B2General
(informal)To significantly weaken or defeat the main strength of something or someone.
Example
- The new policy aims to break the back of the illegal trade.
- The team managed to break the back of their toughest opponent in the first half.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "break the back of":
break one's backbreak someone's backbreak withbreak one's necksee the back ofmake short work ofbreak inmake quick work ofbreak downbreak the bankcrack throughbreak throughbreak rigor