break down

If a machine does this, it stops working because something is wrong with it.

• My car broke down yesterday.
• The washing machine keeps breaking down.
• What will we do if the bus breaks down?

Similar words: fail, stop working

Common phrases: cars break down, machines break down, break down suddenly

If someone does this, strong feelings or stress make them lose control or become unable to cope.

• She broke down and cried.
• He nearly broke down under the pressure.
• I broke down when I heard about the accident.

How to use it: break down in tears (She broke down in tears when she heard the news.); break down and do something (He broke down and began to sob.)

Similar words: fall apart, collapse

Common phrases: break down crying, break down in tears, break down under pressure

If you do this, you divide information into smaller parts to explain it clearly and in detail.

• Please break down the costs for me.
• She broke the process down into five steps.
• Can you break these figures down by month?

How to use it: break something down into something (She broke the task down into small steps.); break something down by something (The report breaks spending down by department.)

Similar words: analyze, itemize

Common phrases: break down costs, break down the figures, break down something

If something does this, it slowly changes into simpler substances as it rots or is processed.

• Old leaves break down slowly.
• These bacteria break down dead plants.
• How long does food waste take to break down?

How to use it: break down into something (The leaves break down into rich compost.); break something down (Bacteria break the waste down.)

Similar words: decompose, decay, rot

Common phrases: leaves break down, break down food, break down into nutrients

If something does this, it becomes too weak to work properly; you can also cause this change.

• Their trust slowly broke down.
• The talks broke down after another disagreement.
• Shared activities can break down barriers between neighbours.

How to use it: break something down (Regular contact helped break their resistance down.)

Similar words: collapse, weaken

Common phrases: talks break down, break down barriers, break down resistance

If you do this, you finally agree to do something you had been refusing or avoiding.

• I broke down and said yes.
• She finally broke down and ordered dessert.
• Will he break down and pay for a taxi?

How to use it: break down and do something (I broke down and bought a new phone.)

Similar words: give in, relent

Opposites: resist

Common phrases: finally break down, break down and agree