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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?

Nearby in Phrasal Verbs

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