PhrasesHub

make or break

    Definitions

      • Determine success or failure
        Refers to a critical decision or moment that will ultimately determine the outcome or success of a particular situation or endeavor.

      • Have a significant impact on
        Suggests that something or someone has the potential to greatly impact or influence the success or failure of a situation or task.

      • Build up or tear down
        Can also refer to the idea that something or someone has the power to either contribute to the success or failure of a situation or task, or completely destroy it.

    Examples of make or break

    • The upcoming presentation is make or break for our team. If we nail it, we'll secure a major client. But if we mess up, it could mean the end of our careers.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation that is critical and has the potential to either lead to success or failure. It implies that the outcome of the presentation will determine the future of the team and their careers.

    • The new product launch is make or break for the company's profits this quarter. If it's successful, we'll exceed our targets. But if it fails, we'll have to cut costs drastically.

      This idiom can also be used to describe a situation that has a significant impact on a larger entity, such as a company. It highlights the importance of the product launch and the potential consequences of its success or failure.

    • The final exam is make or break for my GPA. If I pass with flying colors, I'll graduate with honors. But if I fail, my academic record will suffer.

      This idiom can also be used in an academic context to describe a situation that has a significant impact on a student's academic performance. It emphasizes the importance of the exam and the potential consequences of its outcome.

    • The negotiations with the client are make or break for our company's future. If we can secure a long-term contract, we'll be in a strong position. But if we lose the client, we'll have to start from scratch.

      This idiom can also be used in a business context to describe a situation that has a significant impact on a company's future. It highlights the importance of the negotiations and the potential consequences of their outcome.

    • The decision to invest in the new project is make or break for our team's reputation. If we deliver on time and within budget, we'll be recognized as leaders in our field. But if we fail, our credibility will be damaged.

      This idiom can also be used to describe a situation that has a significant impact on a team's reputation. It emphasizes the importance of the project and the potential consequences of its outcome.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "make or break" is commonly used to describe a critical or crucial moment that will ultimately determine the success or failure of a situation or task. It can also refer to the significant impact that something or someone has on the outcome, whether it is positive or negative. In a broader sense, it can also convey the idea of building up or tearing down, suggesting that something or someone has the potential to either contribute to the success or completely destroy it.

    Origin of "make or break"

    The origin of the idiom "make or break" can be traced back to the 16th century, with the word "make" meaning to achieve or succeed, and "break" meaning to fail. It is believed to have originated from the game of dice, where a player's success or failure depended on the roll of the dice. Over time, the phrase evolved to be used in a broader context, referring to any critical decision or moment that could determine the outcome of a situation.

    Interestingly, the idiom also has a nautical origin. In the 19th century, ships' masts were sometimes made from a single piece of wood that would either "make" or "break" during a storm, depending on its strength and durability. This usage further reinforced the idea of a critical moment or decision that could determine the success or failure of a situation.

    Overall, the idiom "make or break" has been used for centuries to convey the idea of a pivotal moment or decision that could make or break the success of a situation or task. Its origins in both gambling and sailing add layers of meaning to this commonly used phrase.