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What is Break down in English? How is Break down in English used correctly?

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The phrasal verb "break down in English" appears in countless conversations every day, making it one of the most important expressions for English learners to master. Whether describing a car that stops working, emotions that overwhelm someone, or the process of analyzing complex information, understanding this versatile phrase and its multiple meanings will significantly improve your communication skills and help you sound more natural in English.

I. Break down Definition
II. Words and phrases associated with Break down in English
III. How to use Break down in English
IV. Break Down or Breakdown: Avoiding Common Mistakes
V. Synonyms of Break down in English
VI. Other phrasal verbs with Break
VII. Exercise of Break down in English with answers

I. Break down Definition

What is Break down in English? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, Break down is pronounced as /breɪk daʊn/. It is a phrasal verb with six different meanings: (of a machine or vehicle) to stop working because of a fault, to fail, to become very bad, to lose control of your feelings and start crying, to divide into parts to be analyzed, to make something fall down, open, etc. by hitting it hard. For example:

Break down Meaning	Example
(of a machine or vehicle) to stop working because of a fault	The washing machine broke down in the middle of a cycle, leaving the clothes soaking wet. The elevator broke down, causing inconvenience for the residents of the apartment building.
to fail	Despite their efforts, their marriage eventually broke down irreparably. The negotiations for a business deal have broken down due to dissent over the terms and conditions.
to become very bad	The economy of the country broke down as inflation skyrocketed. The infrastructure in the city broke down due to years of neglect and lack of maintenance.
to lose control of your feelings and start crying	He broke down in tears during the memorial service. Hearing the heartbreaking news, she couldn't contain her emotions and immediately broke down.
to divide into parts to be analyzed	The budget for the event breaks down into various categories, including venue rental, catering, and entertainment. The financial statement breaks down the company's expenses into categories such as salaries, utilities, and marketing.
to make something fall down, open, etc. by hitting it hard	The demolition crew used explosives to break down the old building and clear the site. The strong winds and heavy rain caused the trees to break down.

Have you found the answer to the question "What is Break down in English" with PREP? With the six different meanings mentioned above, it's important to use the appropriate one according to each context!

II. Words and phrases associated with Break down in English

After understanding the definition of Break down in English, please take a look at some common words and phrases that are often associated with it to emphasize the meaning!

Words and phrases associated with Break down in English	Meaning	Example
break down the barriers	to improve understanding and communication between people who have different opinions	The program focuses on cultural exchange to break down the barriers and create mutual respect among participants. The project aims to break down the barriers between generations by facilitating intergenerational activities.
break down in tears	to be unable to control your feelings and to start to cry	The emotional scene in the movie was so powerful that many audience members broke down in tears. During the farewell party, the retiring teacher thanked her students and broke down in tears.
break down into	to separate (something) into (simpler substances)	The recipe breaks down the cooking process into simple steps, making it easy for beginners to follow. The report breaks down the company's revenue into different categories.

III. How to use Break down in English

"Break down" functions as a separable phrasal verb, meaning that direct objects can appear between "break" and "down" or after the complete phrasal verb, depending on the object type and stylistic preferences that enhance clarity and natural flow.

Object Type	Rule	Correct Examples
Pronoun Objects	Mandatory separation	"The mechanic broke it down" "She broke them down systematically"
Noun Objects	Optional separation	"The analyst broke down the data" "The analyst broke the data down"
Long Noun Phrases	Usually no separation	"Scientists broke down the complex molecular structure"

IV. Break Down or Breakdown: Avoiding Common Mistakes

Distinguishing between the phrasal verb "break down" and the noun "breakdown" represents a crucial skill for accurate English communication, as confusion between these forms can lead to grammatical errors and misunderstandings that affect professional credibility and clear expression.

Form

Part of Speech and Position in Sentence

Meaning

Example

break down (two words)

Phrasal verb - Functions as the main verb in a sentence, can take different tenses, appears after subject

1. (of a vehicle or machine) to stop working because of a fault

2. (of a person) to lose control of your feelings and start crying

3. to divide something into parts in order to analyze it

4. (of talks, negotiations, etc.) to fail

"The car broke down on the highway"
"She broke down when she heard the news"
"Let's break down this problem step by step"
"Peace talks broke down after three days"

breakdown (one word)

Noun - Functions as subject or object in a sentence, can be modified by articles (a, an, the) and adjectives

1. an occasion when a vehicle or machine stops working

2. the failure of a relationship, discussion or system

3. a detailed analysis of something, showing all the parts separately

4. a serious mental illness in which someone cannot deal with normal life

"The breakdown occurred during rush hour"
"The breakdown of negotiations was unexpected"
"Here's a breakdown of the costs"
"He suffered a nervous breakdown"

Understanding this distinction prevents common errors where learners incorrectly substitute the noun form in positions requiring the verb form, or vice versa, creating sentences that sound awkward and potentially confusing to listeners or readers expecting standard grammatical patterns.

V. Synonyms of Break down in English

In addition to the phrase Break down, we can flexibly use other synonymous words to adapt to different situations. Let's see some synonyms of Break down in English!

Synonyms of Break down in English	Example
stop working /stɒp ˈwɜːkɪŋ/	My computer suddenly stopped working. After years of constant use, the old washing machine finally stopped working.
crash /kræʃ/	The company's financial system crashed, resulting in a temporary halt in business transactions. The version crashed due to a software error.
fail /feɪl/	The company's new product failed to meet customer expectations. The business venture failed due to a lack of adequate planning and market research.
break off /breɪk ɒf/	They were engaged, but their engagement was broken off due to irreconcilable differences. After a series of disagreements, they decided to break off their business partnership.
shatter /ˈʃætə(r)/	The unexpected rejection shattered his dreams of being accepted into the prestigious university. The news of the accident shattered their hopes for a happy family vacation.
destroy /dɪˈstrɔɪ/	The tornado destroyed several houses in the neighborhood. The fire destroyed the entire forest, leaving behind nothing but ashes.
ruin /ˈruːɪn/	The spilled red wine ruined her favorite white dress. The heavy rain ruined their outdoor picnic plans.
break /breɪk/	She accidentally broke the vase while cleaning the shelf. He accidentally broke the window while trying to open it.
crack /vomit/	The earthquake caused the building's foundation to crack. The pressure caused the glass to crack, creating a dangerous situation.
smash /smæʃ/	In a fit of anger, he smashed his phone against the wall. The angry protesters smashed the windows of the store during the demonstration.
cry /kraɪ/	The sad movie made her cry uncontrollably. Seeing the injured puppy, the little girl couldn't help but cry.
burst out crying /bɜːst aʊt ˈkraɪɪŋ/	When she heard the heartbreaking news, she bursts out crying in front of everyone. The emotional reunion with her long-lost sibling caused her to burst out crying.
dissolve into tears /dɪˈzɒlv ˈɪntə tee(r)/	The emotional farewell speech caused him to dissolve into tears. The overwhelming stress and exhaustion made her dissolve into tears of frustration.
impair /ɪmˈpeə(r)/	The accident impaired his ability to walk, requiring him to use crutches. The concussion impaired his cognitive functions.
weaken /weaken/	The prolonged illness weakened her immune system, making her more susceptible to infections. The continuous stress weakened his mental health.
languish /ˈlæŋɡwɪʃ/	The neglected plant languished in the dark corner of the room. The abandoned building languished for years.
categorize /ˈkætəɡəraɪz/	The librarian helped categorize the books into different genres for easy navigation. The researcher carefully categorized the survey responses based on age and gender.
classify /ˈklæsɪfaɪ/	The biologist classified the newly discovered species is based on its physical characteristics. The zoologist classified the animals into different taxonomic groups based on their evolutionary relationships.
divide /dɪˈvaɪd/	The teacher divided the students into groups for a collaborative project. The event planner divided the screen into different sessions based on their interests.

VI. Other phrasal verbs with Break

In addition to the phrasal verb Break down, let's learn some other common phrasal verbs with the word Break that are often encountered in communication.

Phrasal verb Break	Meaning	Example
Break in	wear something, typically a pair of new shoes, until it becomes supple and comfortable.	Before the marathon, it's essential to break in your running shoes to avoid discomfort during the race. The soccer player needs to break in his new cleats before the tournament to ensure a better fit.
Break into	to get into a building or car using force, usually to steal something	Thieves broke into the jewelry store and stole valuable items. The police arrested the burglars just as they were trying to break into the bank vault.
Break out	(of war, fighting, or similarly undesirable things) start suddenly	The protest started peacefully, but it quickly broke out into violence when clashes broke out between the demonstrators and the police. The infectious disease broke out in the community.
Break out in	be suddenly affected by an unpleasant sensation or condition	She ate something she was allergic to and broke out in hives. After using that new skincare product, my face broke out in pimples.
Break out of	escape	Feeling trapped in her monotonous job, she decided to break out of the routine and pursue her passion. The prisoners hatched a plan to break out of the high-security prison.
Break off	to end something suddenly	Their relationship had been deteriorating for a while, and finally, it was broken off. The negotiations between the two companies broke off when they couldn't reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
Break through	to make new and important discoveries	After years of hard work, she finally broke through in her career. The athlete trained tirelessly to break through his physical limitations and achieve new personal bests.
Break up	to come to an end	The couple had a heated argument and ultimately decided to break up. She couldn't handle the long-distance relationship anymore, so she chose to break up with her partner.

So, besides the phrasal verb Break down, you have learned some other common phrasal verbs, right?

VII. Exercise of Break down in English with answers

Exercise: Choose the correct answer

The old car suddenly ________ on the highway and left the driver stranded.
1. broke down
2. broke in
3. broke out
4. broke up
She couldn't handle the pressure anymore and finally ________ during the meeting.
1. broke down
2. broke in
3. broke out
4. broke up
The negotiations between the two companies ________ after hours of intense discussions.
1. broke down
2. broke in
3. broke out
4. broke up
He had a severe allergic reaction and ________ hives all over his body.
1. broke down
2. broke in
3. broke out
4. broke up
The prisoners managed to ________ of their cells and caused chaos in the prison.
1. break down
2. break in
3. break out
4. break up
The project team had to ________ the complex problem into smaller parts for better analysis.
1. break down
2. break in
3. break out
4. break up
The protesters ________ in anger when they heard the news of the unjust decision.
1. broke down
2. broke in
3. broke out
4. broke up
After years of therapy, she was finally able to ________ her fear and overcome it.
1. break down
2. break in
3. break out
4. break through

Answer

1. A	2. A	3. A	4. C
5. C	6. A	7. C	8. D

Mastering "break down in English" takes practice, but understanding its various meanings and proper usage brings you closer to natural, confident English communication. Keep practicing these patterns in real conversations, and remember that every step forward in learning phrasal verbs like this one builds your overall fluency and helps you connect more effectively with English speakers.

Chloe

Product Content Admin

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.