ball-breaker

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Thân thiện
Definition

Noun: 1. A very difficult, demanding, or punishing job, task, or situation. It describes something that requires extreme effort, is mentally or physically exhausting, and feels oppressive. 2. A demanding, domineering, or intimidating woman who is perceived as undermining men's confidence or being excessively harsh. This usage is informal and often considered offensive or sexist.

Usage Examples
  • Noun (Difficult Situation):
    • Training for the marathon was a real ball-breaker, but it was worth it.
    • The final exam is a notorious ball-breaker that many students fail.
  • Noun (Demanding Person):
    • His new boss is a real ball-breaker; she expects reports finished by 7 a.m. (Note: This example illustrates the demanding nature, which is the core of this definition.)
    • The character was portrayed as a ball-breaker who intimidated everyone in the office.
Advanced Usage Notes
  • The term is highly informal and vulgar due to its crude metaphorical imagery. It is inappropriate for formal, academic, or polite contexts.
  • The second definition, referring to a woman, is strongly pejorative and reinforces negative stereotypes. Its use is often criticized as sexist.
  • The hyphenated form "ball-breaker" is common, but it is also frequently written as a single word: "ballbreaker."
Variants and Related Words
  • Ball-breaking (adjective or noun): Used to describe a task or behavior that is extremely demanding or punishing.
    • It was a ball-breaking schedule with no time to rest. (Adjective)
    • The constant ball-breaking from management led to low morale. (Noun)
  • Backbreaker: A synonym specifically for an arduous task or heavy physical labor.
    • Moving all that furniture alone was a backbreaker.
Synonyms
  • For a difficult task/situation: grueler, ordeal, killer, hardship, marathon.
  • For a demanding person: taskmaster, slave driver, hard case, tyrant (these are less vulgar and not gender-specific).
Idioms and Fixed Expressions
  • While "ball-breaker" itself is an idiomatic expression, it is not typically used within a larger idiomatic phrase. Its meaning is self-contained.
Noun
  1. a job or situation that is demanding and arduous and punishing
    • Vietnam was a ball-breaker
  2. a demanding woman who destroys men's confidence

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