BREAKING BANK Meaning and
Definition
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Breaking the bank refers to a situation in which someone achieves a significant financial gain, often surpassing expectations or defying odds. This colloquial phrase originates from the world of gambling and casinos, particularly the game of roulette. Historically, the bank in a casino referred to the sum of money or chips that a player would challenge by placing bets. When a player breaks the bank, it means that the amount of money allocated to be won from the casino is surpassed or depleted by their success.
In a broader sense, breaking the bank denotes a financial success beyond anticipated limits in any context, not necessarily related to gambling. This can happen through successful business ventures, investments, or unexpected windfalls. It implies a situation where the individual or entity has achieved a substantial gain, often to the point of exceeding initial expectations or projections.
While breaking the bank typically carries a positive connotation, it can also have negative implications. In some cases, it may refer to an individual or organization facing severe financial difficulties or bankruptcy, as if they have exhausted all available resources or capital. It is important to consider the surrounding context and the speaker's intention when interpreting the phrase "breaking the bank."
Common Misspellings for BREAKING BANK
- vreaking bank
- nreaking bank
- hreaking bank
- greaking bank
- beeaking bank
- bdeaking bank
- bfeaking bank
- bteaking bank
- b5eaking bank
- b4eaking bank
- brwaking bank
- brsaking bank
- brdaking bank
- brraking bank
- br4aking bank
- br3aking bank
- brezking bank
- bresking bank
- brewking bank
- breqking bank
Etymology of BREAKING BANK
The phrase "breaking bank" or "to break the bank" is derived from gambling terminology, particularly from the game of roulette. In roulette, the term refers to a player winning such a large sum of money that the casino or gambling establishment runs out of chips (banknotes) to pay them.
The word "bank" here refers to the total amount of money or chips that the casino sets aside to pay out winnings. When a player wins more than the casino has in its bank, the bank is "broken", meaning that the player has won everything available and the establishment cannot fulfill the payout. As a result, the phrase "breaking bank" came to be used metaphorically in other contexts to describe someone or something overwhelming an entity or exceeding expectations.
