breaking point

The moment when a situation, person, or object can no longer endure stress, pressure, or strain, leading to collapse, failure, or a decisive change.

• 🇫🇷Moment où une situation, une personne ou un objet ne peut plus supporter le stress, la pression ou la tension, entraînant un effondrement, un échec ou un changement décisif.

1. Limit of endurance B2 formal

   The moment when a person, system, or material can no longer withstand pressure or stress and fails or collapses.

   • The constant criticism pushed him to his breaking point.
   • The bridge was tested to its breaking point during the storm.
   • The team's morale reached its breaking point after the third defeat.

   🇫🇷point de rupture

2. Critical moment of change B2 formal

   A point at which a situation becomes critical and a decisive change is inevitable.

   • The negotiations reached a breaking point when neither side would compromise.
   • The company's finances were at a breaking point, forcing them to restructure.
   • Their relationship hit a breaking point after years of unresolved arguments.

   🇫🇷point de rupture