humpty–dumpty
noun,
often capitalized H&D
hump·ty–dump·ty
\¦həm(p)tē¦dəm(p)tē, -ti...ti\
Definition of humpty–dumpty
-es
: something that once damaged can never be repaired or made operative again the exchange crisis … that brought the Humpty-Dumpty of currency stabilization tumbling — Atlantic people fled into their suddenly Humpty-Dumpty world — Robert O'Brien
From the M-W Editors
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Origin and Etymology of humpty–dumpty
after Humpty-Dumpty, egg-shaped nursery-rhyme character who fell from a wall and broke into bits
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