: 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.
San Francisco has the ultimate make-or-break schedule this week, playing seven road games against divisional opponents -- three against the Arizona Diamondbacks, then four against the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers. Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025 Technical reliability is a make-or-break factor when considering industrial integration. Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025 The Greek show will have a 12-meter-high Wall, with two players per episode facing the make-or-break questions, and a cash prize of up to €350,000 ($408,000). Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025 But this fall could present a make-or-break moment. Nik Popli, Time, 2 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2025.

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