break one's back — meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  Generalinformalneutral
  • To work extremely hard or make a prolonged, strenuous effort to achieve something.

  Examples

  Beta

  • She broke her back to finish the project ahead of schedule.

    She broke her back to finish the project ahead of schedule.

  • I’ve been breaking my back at the gym all year to prepare for the competition.

    I’ve been breaking my back at the gym all year to prepare for the competition.

  • They will have to break their backs if they want to meet the tight deadline.

    They will have to break their backs if they want to meet the tight deadline.

• 2.

  Generalneutralliteral
  • To sustain a severe injury to one's back.

  Examples

  Beta

  • He broke his back in the accident and spent months recovering in the hospital.

    He broke his back in the accident and spent months recovering in the hospital.

  • After falling from the ladder, she broke her back and required surgery.

    After falling from the ladder, she broke her back and required surgery.

  • The athlete broke his back during the crash but made an incredible recovery.

    The athlete broke his back during the crash but made an incredible recovery.

  • Breaking his back was the worst injury he ever suffered on the job.

    Breaking his back was the worst injury he ever suffered on the job.