bone-crushing

[ bohn-kruhsh-ing ]

adjective

1. powerful or constricting enough to crush one's bones:

   a bone-crushing handshake.

2. extremely painful, troublesome, costly, etc.:

   a bone-crushing mortgage.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bone-crushing¹

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

His companion came over to slap him on the back with bone-crushing blows.

From Project Gutenberg

There are several jute mills, a large flour mill, bone-crushing mills and a brick and tile works.

From Project Gutenberg

Conan's left arm was pinioned among the bone-crushing folds, but his right was free.

From Project Gutenberg

Bone-crushing, tanning, the manufacture of oil-cake for cattle, and rope-making are carried on in various places.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he was gone, after a bone-crushing handclasp that closed on Jason's hand like vise jaws.

From Project Gutenberg