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- See:
- break
| part of speech: |
phrase |
| definition 1: |
to become ineffective or unable to function.
My car broke down on the highway.The elevator broke down yesterday, so we'll have to use the stairs.- synonyms:
- collapse, go to pieces
- similar words:
- act up, crack, crack up, fail, fold, founder, perish, rot, stall
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| definition 2: |
to use physical force to reduce (something) to an utterly broken state.
The bulldozer broke down the stone fence.The fire fighters broke down the door to the house. |
| definition 3: |
to take apart or flatten for some particular purpose.
The bed in here is easy to transport because it can be broken down easily.We'll have to break down all these cardboard boxes before we can recycle them. |
| definition 4: |
to reduce (something) until destroyed or converted.
The captors tried to break down the morale of the prisoners.The cleaning solution will break down the grease.Substances in the stomach function to break down food. |
| definition 5: |
to break into increasingly smaller bits or simpler substances.
Starchy foods break down quickly during digestion.Plastics break down very slowly over time. |
| definition 6: |
to reduce (something) into smaller parts or categories.
He broke the job down into separate tasks.The theory will be easier to understand if you break it down.- synonyms:
- reduce
- similar words:
- analyze, divide, resolve, subdivide
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| definition 7: |
to lose control of one's emotions, usually reflected in crying or inability to speak or express oneself.
When he heard the news of the accident, he broke down and cried.The defendant broke down during questioning on the witness stand. |
| related words: |
collapse, factor, falter, fatigue, flaw, fold, precipitate, reduce, separate |
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