: allowing no middle ground between success and failure

Examples of make-or-break in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But instead of canceling the series after a regrettable first season, the network surprised everybody by completely retooling the show and bringing it back for a make-or-break season 2. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 5 July 2025 Tax credit awards are highly competitive, with multiple firms competing for a limited pool of funds, meaning the make-or-break financing source is anything but certain. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025 The Senate on Monday kicked off the hours-long vote-a-rama with members considering a series of amendments that could be make-or-break for support in the lower chamber, including changes to Medicaid cuts and tax provisions. Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 30 June 2025 The weekend session could be a make-or-break moment for Trump’s party, which has invested much of its political capital on his signature domestic policy plan. Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for make-or-break

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of make-or-break was in 1919

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Cite this Entry

“Make-or-break.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make-or-break. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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