english
                    
                    
                    
                        1
                           general:: 
                           Ruin one financially, exhaust one's resources, as in I guess the price of a movie won't break the bank. This term originated in gambling, where it means that a player has won more than the banker (the house) can pay. It Also may be used ironically, as above. [c. 1600]
                           
                           
                           
                           
                        
    
                       
                    
                        
                        
                        
                    
 
                    
                        American Heritage Idioms
                    
                    
                    
                        2
                           general:: 
                           Phrase(s): break the bank  Fig. to use up all one’s money. (Alludes to casino gambling, in the rare event when a gambler wins more money than the house has on hand.)  •  It will hardly break the bank if we go out to dinner just once.  •  Buying a new dress at a discount price won’t break the bank.
                           
                           
                           
                           
                        
    
                       
                    
                        
                        
                        
                    
 
                    
                        McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs