ломать

This is the 5013th most frequent Russian word.

ломать

To break.

Here 'ломать' means to physically destroy or fracture an object.

Я не хотел ломать этот стул.

I didn't mean to break this chair.

Here 'ломать' is used metaphorically to mean overthinking or over-analyzing.

Не стоит ломать голову над этой задачей.

You should not rack your brain over this task.

Here 'ломать' metaphorically refers to violating or not adhering to rules or expectations.

Эти правила нельзя ломать.

These rules cannot be broken.