breaking the back of

Verb

break the back of (third-person singular simple present breaks the back of, present participle breaking the back of, simple past broke the back of, past participle broken the back of)

1. (idiomatic) To complete the greater part of (a project) or solve the most critical part of (a problem).
   • I've broken the back of painting the shed – I'll finish it after lunch.
2. To overburden (a person, group, or organization).
   • You will have heard of the three kathia system. It broke the back of the farmers.1962, Rajendra Prasad, Legacy of Gandhiji: Speeches, page 6
3. To cripple.
   • I don't think it has broken the back of organized crime at all in the New England area, any more than I think when we got convictions in Buffalo that it broke the back of organized crime in Buffalo, or when Mr. McKeon got convictions in Detroit it broke the back of organized crime in Detroit.1970, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Government Operations. Legal and Monetary Affairs Subcommittee, Federal Effort Against Organized Crime, page 60