make-or-break

adjective

ˈmāk-ər-ˈbrāk 

: allowing no middle ground between success and failure

Examples of make-or-break in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While it’s scripted and executed as if in the express lane, the storyline of the team’s make-or-break match hits every note of the comeback sports-movie genre. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

The next few months could be make-or-break for smaller players in the space hoping to earn staying power. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

Riley, meanwhile, has not seemed like a head coach who’s feeling the heat heading into a make-or-break season at USC. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

This season feels make-or-break for the 2023 first-round pick, especially because he may not be used as an every-down player. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for make-or-break

• radiopaque
• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik
• crake
• fake
• flake
• hake