make or break

make or break (third-person singular simple present makes or breaks, present participle making or breaking, simple past made or broke, past participle made or broken)

1. To be a crucial factor in determining the success of something.

   Vince knew that his ability to come up with a catchy hook would make or break his song.

The past tense and past participle are seldom used, due to the loss of the rhyme.

• make-or-break
• defining moment