ball-breaker

• Существительное с двумя различными значениями: может относиться к требовательной женщине, подрывающей уверенность мужчин, или к работе или ситуации, которые являются чрезвычайно требовательными, изнурительными и тяжелыми.

A noun with two distinct meanings: it can refer to a demanding woman who undermines men's confidence, or to a job or situation that is extremely demanding, arduous, and punishing.

1. A demanding womanC1slang

   A woman who is perceived as overly demanding, aggressive, or critical, often in a way that undermines men's confidence.

   Стерва

   • His boss is a real ball-breaker; she never lets him relax.
   • He complained that his ex-girlfriend was a ball-breaker who always put him down.
   • Some people unfairly label any assertive woman as a ball-breaker.

   Synonymsball-busterharpyshrewtermagantvirago

2. A difficult task or situationC1slang

   A job, task, or situation that is extremely demanding, arduous, and punishing.

   Изнурительная задача

   • This project is a real ball-breaker; we've been working on it for weeks.
   • The final exam was a ball-breaker; hardly anyone passed.
   • Training for the marathon turned out to be a ball-breaker.

   Synonymsball-busterbearburdengrindheadachekillernightmareordealpainslogstruggletrialtribulation