expression, godan verb (-ru)
break the tape; breast the tape
Used in track and field or similar races to describe the moment the winner crosses the finish line and breaks the tape.
彼は見事にテープを切って優勝した。
He broke the tape brilliantly and won the race.
Compound of テープ (tape) + を (object marker) + 切る (cut/break). Literally 'cut the tape', referring to the finishing tape in races.