表达 “make or break” 的意思是 “不成则败，成败在此一举”，用来谈论 “关乎某件事情结果成败的关键时刻、决定或时间点，比如一个重要的工作项目”。它的合成形容词是 “make-or-break”，意思是 “事关成败的”。

• The decision to relaunch the product with new marketing could make or break the company.
  通过新的营销活动重新推出这款产品的决定对公司来说可能是成败之举。
• We knew the singer changing genres could make or break her career. Luckily, she was an incredible success.
  那时我们都明白，这名歌手改变音乐风格的做法可能会让她的事业一举成功或一蹶不振。幸运的是，她取得了骄人的成功。
• It was a make-or-break moment when the young footballer stepped up to take the penalty that would win the World Cup.
  那是一个成败攸关的时刻：这名年轻的足球运动员主动站出来罚点球，而这支球队能否赢得世界杯就看这一球。