break down meaning and examples

Meaning

The phrasal verb break down has several common meanings depending on context:

1. To stop working (machines/vehicles) – when something mechanical stops functioning.
2. To lose control of emotions – when a person starts crying or becomes emotionally unstable.
3. To collapse physically or mentally – when someone becomes too weak to continue.
4. To separate into smaller parts – when something is analyzed, explained, or decomposed.
5. To fail in negotiations or processes – when talks or plans stop progressing.

Grammar and Usage

• Verb type: Phrasal verb, intransitive or transitive depending on context.

• Patterns:

  • Subject + break down (The car broke down.)
  • Break down + object (Let’s break down the problem.)

Common Phrases

• Car breaks down – vehicle stops working.
• Break down in tears – suddenly start crying.
• Break down a process – explain step by step.
• Break down communication – when people fail to understand each other.

Collocations

• machine/engine + break down
• negotiations/talks + break down
• break down + barriers/walls
• break down + data/problem
• break down + emotionally

Examples

1. My car broke down on the highway yesterday.
2. She broke down in tears when she heard the sad news.
3. The talks broke down after several hours of arguments.
4. The teacher broke down the complex topic into simple steps.
5. His health broke down after years of overwork.
6. Police are working to break down the barriers between communities.
7. The washing machine suddenly broke down and stopped spinning.
8. He broke down when he saw the old family photos.

Synonyms or Related

• Collapse
• Fail
• Fall apart
• Dismantle
• Analyze
• Decompose

Antonym

• Work / function
• Hold together
• Build up
• Assemble