Breakdown
/ˈbreɪkdaʊn/
Definitions
3 meaningsA complete failure of something, especially a machine or system.
/ˈbreɪkdaʊn/
A failure or collapse.
The breakdown of the negotiations led to a stalemate.
💡 Simply: Something stops working.
More Examples
The machine requires a breakdown and repair.
How It's Used
"The car experienced a breakdown on the highway."
"She suffered a nervous breakdown after years of stress."
A detailed analysis separating something into its constituent parts.
/ˈbreɪkdaʊn/
A detailed analysis or categorization.
He gave a breakdown of the project's budget.
💡 Simply: A detailed explanation of the parts of something.
More Examples
The doctor provided a breakdown of the test results.
How It's Used
"The report includes a breakdown of sales figures by region."
To stop working or functioning.
/ˈbreɪkdaʊn/
To cease functioning.
The negotiations broke down without agreement.
💡 Simply: To stop working.
More Examples
My car broke down on the way to work.
How It's Used
"The engine broke down after 200,000 miles."
Idioms & expressions
break down barriers
To overcome obstacles or differences.
"The new policy aims to break down barriers between different communities."
From the verb "break" and the noun "down", signifying a process of disintegration or failure. Its usage evolved from a literal sense of something breaking apart to encompass figurative meanings.
Early uses emphasized the literal breaking down of physical objects. Figurative uses relating to social structures and mental health emerged later.
Memory tip
Think of something literally breaking down into pieces.