backbreaking
|back-break-ing|
/ˈbækˌbreɪkɪŋ/
so hard it could break your back
Etymology
'backbreaking' originates from English, specifically from the phrase 'break one's back' and the compound verb 'backbreak' (formed by combining 'back' + 'break') meaning to cause great physical strain.
'backbreaking' developed from the older figurative expression 'to break (one's) back' (literal sense: injure the back) into the verbal compound 'backbreak' and then into the adjective 'backbreaking' in modern English.
Initially it could be used literally to mean 'causing a broken back'; over time it has become chiefly figurative, meaning 'extremely arduous' or 'very hard work'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
extremely hard or tiring; requiring a great deal of physical effort.
They did backbreaking work to clear the land for the new road.
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Adjective 2
causing severe physical strain or pain (originally suggesting the breaking of the back).
The miners endured backbreaking conditions for very low pay.
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Last updated: 2025/12/25 18:20