IdiomDaily LifeSwedish

bära eller brista

Meaning: To succeed or fail; to endure the test or collapse under it.

Literally: To bear or break

Example: “Nu får det bära eller brista, vi lanserar appen i morgon.” — It's make or break now; we launch the app tomorrow.

English equivalent: Make or break

Equivalents in other languages

Origin: The usual picture is ice: on a frozen lake the ice either bears one's weight or breaks under it, with no third possibility. Det får bära eller brista means taking the risk, come what may. No source documents the ice as the origin, though it fits the words.

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