break down meaning

Definition of break down in English Dictionary

• NounPLbreak downs
  1. Alternative form of breakdown.
• VerbSGbreaks downPRbreaking downPTbroke downPPbroken downPPbroke down+-
  1. (intransitive) To fail, to cease to function.
     1. I am afraid my computer will break down if I try to run it at too high a speed. ‎
  2. (ergative, figuratively) To render or to become unstable due to stress, to collapse physically or mentally.
     1. She is back to work now, after she broke down the other day. ‎
  3. (ergative, figuratively) To render or to become weak and ineffective.
     1. His authority and influence over his coordinates broke down gradually. ‎
  4. (ergative) To (cause to) decay, to decompose.
     1. Leaves and grass will break down into compost faster if you keep them moist. ‎
  5. (ergative, figuratively) to divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of.
     1. If you don't understand, ask him to break down the numbers for you. ‎
  6. (ergative) To digest.
     1. His stomach took a while to break down his food. ‎
• More Examples
  1. Used in the Middle of Sentence
     • Our car broke down and we didn't have any tools but Jim MacGyvered it with some toenail clippers and we were able to limp to the service station. [1]
     • His excuse about his car breaking down again rings false, to me.
     • I've had a lot of problems recently: take last Monday, for example. My car broke down on the way to work. Then ... etc. ‎

• Part-of-Speech Hierarchy
  1. Phrases
     • Phrasal verbs
       • Phrasal verbs with particle (down)
  2. Nouns
     • Countable nouns
  3. Verbs
     • Phrasal verbs
       • Phrasal verbs with particle (down)
     • Ergative verbs
     • Intransitive verbs

Other Vocabulary

1. en breakdown
2. en breaks down
3. en bear down
4. en beat down
5. en breakdowns