break down

Meaning

This versatile phrasal verb most commonly means that a vehicle or machine stops working. It can also describe a person losing control of their emotions and crying, or the act of dividing complex information into smaller, easier-to-understand parts.

Examples

• My car broke down on the highway, and I had to call a tow truck.

  My car broke down on the highway, and I had to call a tow truck.

• She broke down in tears when she heard the sad news.

  She broke down in tears when she heard the sad news.

• Can you break down this big project into smaller, weekly tasks?

  Can you break down this big project into smaller, weekly tasks.

• The negotiations broke down after both sides refused to compromise.

  The negotiations broke down after both sides refused to compromise.

• Our washing machine broke down, so we have to do laundry at my parents' house.

  Our washing machine broke down, so we have to do laundry at my parents' house.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ My computer was broken down yesterday.

  ✓ My computer broke down yesterday.

  'Break down' is an active intransitive phrasal verb when talking about mechanical failure. Do not use it in the passive voice.

• ✗ He broke down his car.

  ✓ His car broke down.

  When a machine stops working, 'break down' is intransitive. You cannot 'break down a car' unless you are physically dismantling it into parts.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If the copier ___ again, we will have to buy a new one.

  💡 stops working

  Show answer

  breaks down

• Let me ___ the costs so you can see exactly where your money goes.

  💡 divide into smaller parts

  Show answer

  break down