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Break down

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Meaning 1 of 3
Definition

Negotiations/talks fail

Example sentence
Contract negotiations broke down between labor and management.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
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Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.

talks break down

negotiations break down

peace talks break down

discussions break down

communication breaks down

Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.

Negotiations broke down suddenly. ✅ (Correct)

Negotiations broke suddenly down. ❌ (Incorrect)

Meaning 1 of 3
Definition

To lose emotional control

Example sentence
He broke down at his dad's funeral.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
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Clip 2
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Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.

break down crying

break down in tears

emotionally break down

mentally break down

completely break down

Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.

He broke down during the speech. ✅ (Correct)

He broke during the speech down. ❌ (Incorrect)

Meaning 1 of 3
Definition

To simplify or explain something

Example sentence
He broke down his plans for the future.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
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Clip 2
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Clip 3
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Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.

break down the problem

break down the process

break down the numbers

break down the costs

break it down step-by-step

Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.

She broke down the concept. ✅ (Correct)

She broke the concept down.✅ (Correct)

Meaning 1 of 3
Definition

To stop working, usually a large machine

Example sentence
My car broke down on the highway yesterday.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
Clip 1
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Clip 2
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Clip 3
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Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.

car breaks down

truck breaks down

engine breaks down

machine breaks down

elevator breaks down

Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.

The elevator broke down yesterday. ✅ (Correct)

The elevator broke yesterday down. ❌ (Incorrect)