make or break

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to give me your considered opinion concerning my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

I always tell my girl to make sure beforehand that she has a good man or true, and the chance will neither make her nor break her. (Ch. Dickens, “Barnaby Rudge”)

Certain critics are so influential that they can make or mar a book. (W. I. Maugham, “A Writer’s Notebook”)

She knew that the men in the mining world, whit whom she talked politely, could make or break Dick as suited their purposes. (K. S. Prichard, “Golden Miles”)

make or break = make or mar = bring fame to or bring to naught

V.

[riquecohen]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to give me your considered opinion concerning my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

I always tell my girl to make sure beforehand that she has a good man or true, and the chance will neither make her nor break her. (Ch. Dickens, “Barnaby Rudge”)

Certain critics are so influential that they can make or mar a book. (W. I. Maugham, “A Writer’s Notebook”)

She knew that the men in the mining world, whit whom she talked politely, could make or break Dick as suited their purposes. (K. S. Prichard, “Golden Miles”)

make or break = make or mar = bring fame to or bring to naught

V.

You're pretty much on target. I've never heard "make or mar". Look here. make or break - Idioms - by the Free Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

[vil]

Mend your speech a little, lest it may mar your fortune. — William Shakespeare

Read more: mar: Definition, Synonyms from Answers.com

V.

[riquecohen]

Mend your speech a little, lest it may mar your fortune. — William Shakespeare

Read more: mar: Definition, Synonyms from Answers.com

V.

Thanks, Vil. Do you suppose that I didn't know the definition of "mar?" If you had read my post carefully, you would have seen that it was "make or mar" that I had not heard.

[vil]

Please, excuse my lack of discretion.

V.

[riquecohen]

Please, excuse my lack of discretion.

V.

[vil]