: allowing no middle ground between success and failure

Examples of make-or-break in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The company faces a potential make-or-break moment that will be decided by voters Tuesday. Matt Egan, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024 Here’s a closer look at the messaging that’s been coming out of the campaigns on what could be the make-or-break issue of the general election. Tobias Burns, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024 Nashville is merely six years removed from voters emphatically rejecting a transit ballot measure, setting the stage for what seems to be a make-or-break referendum Tuesday. Nate Rau, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024 Anyway, having Kyra along was a huge win for the group, and for Dave, who must have known this would be a make-or-break experience for their relationship. Outside Online, 30 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near make-or-break

Cite this Entry

“Make-or-break.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make-or-break. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on make-or-break

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!