Phrase guide

break the buck

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To fall below the value of one dollar per share.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, idiomatic

Topics: business, finance

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Break (as in break the bank) + the + buck (“dollar (colloquial)”).