“Break down” means:
- To Stop Functioning:
- For a machine, vehicle, or system to stop working or fail.
- Example: “The car broke down on the way to the beach.”
- To Analyze or Decompose:
- To divide something into smaller parts for analysis or understanding.
- Example: “Let’s break down the report into its main components.”
- To Have an Emotional Collapse:
- To lose control of one’s emotions and experience a psychological or emotional crisis.
- Example: “She broke down in tears after hearing the news.”
- To Fail to Maintain a Structure or Agreement:
- For an arrangement, plan, or agreement to collapse or fail.
- Example: “The negotiations broke down over salary disputes.”
Prepositions
- Before “break down”: Typically not used with prepositions directly before the phrase. It stands alone or is preceded by the subject.
- After “break down”: Followed by the object or context, such as what is failing, being analyzed, or the situation leading to emotional distress.
- Example: “The machine broke down during the test.”
- Example: “She broke down and confessed her fears.”
Collocations
- Break down (into something/components/details)
- Break down (over something)
- Break down (a system/vehicle/machine)
- Break down (a process/plan/negotiations)
Example Sentences
- “The printer broke down just before the big presentation.”
- “We need to break down the data into manageable sections.”
- “He broke down and cried when he heard the bad news.”
- “The peace talks broke down due to conflicting interests.”
- “The software broke down during the critical operation.”
- “Let’s break down the project into smaller tasks.”
- “She broke down after the stressful day at work.”
- “The deal broke down when the terms couldn’t be agreed upon.”
- “The refrigerator broke down, so we need to buy a new one.”
- “The manager broke down the quarterly sales figures for the team.”
- “He broke down emotionally after the divorce.”
- “The system broke down after a power surge.”
- “We need to break down the costs before finalizing the budget.”
- “She broke down and admitted she needed help.”
- “The negotiations broke down because of a misunderstanding.”
- “The car broke down on the highway, causing a long delay.”
- “Let’s break down the problem to find a solution.”
- “He broke down when he realized how much he had lost.”
- “The event planning broke down due to miscommunication.”
- “The old computer finally broke down after years of use.”
- “We should break down the proposal into key sections.”
- “She broke down when she found out about the accident.”
- “The company’s merger talks broke down over legal issues.”
- “The pump broke down during the crucial phase of the operation.”
- “He asked the professor to break down the complex concept for him.”
- “She broke down in the middle of the meeting.”
- “The project’s success broke down due to unexpected challenges.”
- “The vehicle broke down on a remote road, making rescue difficult.”
- “We need to break down the strategy into actionable steps.”
- “She broke down after hearing the news of her friend’s illness.”
- “The treaty talks broke down after a heated argument.”
- “The machinery broke down, halting production for hours.”
- “Let’s break down the task list to make it more manageable.”
- “He broke down and admitted he was struggling with the workload.”
- “The agreement broke down when the parties couldn’t reach a consensus.”
- “The software system broke down and lost all the data.”
- “She broke down while discussing her personal struggles.”
- “The company’s financial plans broke down due to market fluctuations.”
- “The engine broke down during the long trip.”
- “We need to break down the study into different chapters.”
- “He broke down and sought professional help for his anxiety.”
- “The logistics plan broke down due to unforeseen circumstances.”
- “The old laptop broke down just before the important presentation.”
- “Let’s break down the expenses to see where the budget is going.”
- “She broke down after hearing the news of her loved one’s passing.”
- “The partnership broke down due to disagreements on business strategies.”
- “The system broke down under high demand.”
- “He broke down the problem into smaller, more manageable parts.”
- “The meeting broke down after a heated discussion.”
- “The equipment broke down, causing a significant delay in the project.”