WordVale

break down

to stop functioning; to lose emotional control

In Phrasal Verbs

In more detail

1. (verb) to divide something into smaller parts or pieces

2. (verb) to stop working or fail to function

3. (verb) to analyze or explain something in detail

4. (verb) to reduce something by a large amount

Examples

• 1. The teacher asked the students to break down the complex math problem into simpler steps.
• 2. The old car finally broke down on the highway.
• 3. Can you break down the budget to show where the money goes?

How to use break down

Break down is a highly versatile phrasal verb with distinct senses depending on context. It can mean to separate into components (analytical or physical), to cease functioning (mechanical failure), or to experience emotional collapse. The sense is usually clear from context—financial documents get broken down by category, while machinery breaks down when it fails.

Common phrases

• break down barriers
• break down costs
• break down into categories
• break down mentally
• break down the problem

Synonyms

analyze · decompose · disassemble · malfunction · diminish

Opposites

assemble · construct · combine

Word family

breakdown (noun) · breakable (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners often forget that 'break down' requires an object when used in the analytical sense (you break down a problem, not just break down), though some uses can be intransitive (the car broke down).

Nearby in Phrasal Verbs

account for, back up, bank on, bring about, bring up, call off

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained