wrecker's ball

American  

Or wrecking ball

noun

1. a heavy metal ball swung on a cable from a crane and used in demolition work.

---

Etymology

Origin of wrecker's ball

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Example Sentences

Many noteworthy buildings fell to the wrecker’s ball, but there are several architectural gems here.

From Washington Post

Mr. Thomas is among those who want it to meet with a wrecker’s ball.

From New York Times

Once scheduled for demolition to make way for the Lancaster Convention Center, it was saved from the wrecker’s ball by the timely intervention of the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County, which acquired a historic preservation easement to protect the property.

From Washington Post

In some parts of the city, there are still buildings waiting for either the repairer’s scaffold or the wrecker’s ball.

From Slate

“That coyote or whatever he is, a wolf or something, every time he gets up on a clift or somewhere with a new plan, why the Road Runner comes along on some skates or has him some new invention like a rocket or a big wrecker’s ball and just busts that coyote a good one.”

From Slate