break the back of (something)
1. To quell something or destroy it altogether. This new initiative aims to break the back of the drug trade in our country.
2. To complete the most challenging part of a task or project. When you take the exam, you should break the back of the chemical equations first, since they give you the most trouble.
break the back of something
Fig. to end the domination of something; to reduce the power of something. The government has worked for years to break the back of organized crime. This new medicine should break the back of the epidemic.
break the back of
Overpower, overcome; also, get through the hardest part of. For example, This new offense has broken the back of the opposing team, or We're well over halfway there; we've broken the back of this journey. [Mid-1800s]
break the back of
1 accomplish the main or hardest part of a task. 2 overwhelm or defeat.