English Dictionary

break down

verb

(intransitive) To stop functioning. (machine, computer, vehicle) / (intransitive) To collapse, physically or in structure. (unexpectedly) / (intransitive) To demolish, to pull down. (intentionally)

The car broke down on the highway.

意味（1）

(intransitive) To stop functioning. (machine, computer, vehicle)

I am afraid my computer will break down if I try to run it at too high a speed.

意味（2）

(intransitive) To collapse, physically or in structure. (unexpectedly)

意味（3）

(intransitive) To demolish, to pull down. (intentionally)

意味（4）

(intransitive) To cease to function. (others)

意味（5）

(intransitive) To fail, especially socially or for political reasons.

Talks broke down between Prime Minister John Doe and the opposition party.

意味（6）

(intransitive, idiomatic) To give in, relent, concede, or surrender.

Is it worth taking it to a repair shop, or should I just break down and buy a new one?

意味（7）

(ergative, figuratively) To render or to become unstable due to stress, to collapse physically or mentally.

She is back to work now, after she broke down the other day.

意味（8）

(ergative, figuratively) To render or to become weak and ineffective.

His authority and influence over his coordinates broke down gradually.

意味（9）

(ergative) To (cause to) decay, to decompose.

Leaves and grass will break down into compost faster if you keep them moist.

意味（10）

(ergative, figuratively) To divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of.

If you don't understand, ask him to break down the numbers for you.

意味（11）

(ergative) To digest.

His stomach took a while to break down his food.

意味（12）

(sometimes informal) To lose control of one's emotions; to start crying; to turn on the waterworks.

I started to break down because I thought everybody hated me.