💪 A hard challenge 🙅‍♀️ A demanding woman

ball-breaker

1 9.9

A woman who is very strict and makes others feel afraid or unhappy

noun
/ˈbɔlˌbreɪkər/

Slur

: [ofensivo: término para una mujer autoritaria y muy exigente]

She is a real ball-breaker in the office.

Examples

The movie villain is portrayed as a ruthless ball-breaker who terrifies her staff.
He complained that his ex-wife was a ball-breaker who never gave him a moment's peace.
Some colleagues think the new manager is a total ball-breaker, but I just see her as assertive.
Don't underestimate her; she's a tough ball-breaker!
Some people think she's a ball-breaker because she always expects the best from her team.
He was intimidated by her because she was known as a ball-breaker in the office.
Many men find it hard to work with her, as they see her as a ball-breaker who challenges their authority.

Synonyms

ballbuster

vsball-breaker

Offensive

1 9.3

A strict, demanding person who expects hard work

aims specifically at men undermining their confidence and authority

Antonyms

nurturer

5 4.4

A person who cares for and supports someone or something so it can grow

How Domineering

ball-breaker

Slur

1 9.9

demandingness

8.1

Surface Forms

ball-breaker singular

ball-breakers plural

Morphology

ball-breaker = ball + breaker (semi-transparent) = ball + break + er

Compound of 'ball' + 'breaker' where the sense (a domineering or intimidating woman) is slang and metaphorical, so a learner may not infer it from the parts alone.

Etymology

Ball-breaker is used in slang for a woman who is seen as very demanding or intimidating. It comes from the same rude image of ball and break, where the idea of 'breaking' someone's 'balls' suggests harsh control or attack. So calling someone a ball-breaker is a rude way to say they are harsh or overbearing.