Break-the-bank
break the bank
Ruin one financially, exhaust one’s resources, as in I guess the price of a movie won’t break the bank. This term originated in gambling, where it means that a player has won more than the banker (the house) can pay. It also may be used ironically, as above. [ c. 1600 ]
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- Break--the--ice
the solid form of water, produced by freezing; frozen water. the frozen surface of a body of water. any substance resembling frozen water: camphor ice. a frozen dessert made of sweetened water and fruit juice. British, ice cream. icing, as on a cake. reserve; formality: The ice of his manner betrayed his dislike of the […]
- Break-the-news
Make something known, as in We suspected that she was pregnant but waited for her to break the news to her in-laws. This term, in slightly different form (break a matter or break a business), dates from the early 1500s. Another variant is the 20th-century journalistic phrase, break a story, meaning “to reveal a news […]
- Break-the-points
break the points
- Break-the-record
Surpass a previous achievement, as in He was determined to break the record for the high jump. This usage is applied primarily to sports of various kinds. [ 1880s ] Move very fast, as in The lecture was so dull that we broke the record getting to the door: [ Second half of 1900s ]
- Break--through
to smash, split, or divide into parts violently; reduce to pieces or fragments: He broke a vase. to infringe, ignore, or act contrary to (a law, rule, promise, etc.): She broke her promise. to dissolve or annul (often followed by off): to break off friendly relations with another country. to fracture a bone of (some […]