break down

Meaning

1. Oxford42% of films

   to lose control of your feelings and start crying

2. Oxford17% of films

   to make sth fall down, open, etc. by hitting it hard

   and got the police to break down the door.

3. Oxford8% of films

   to stop working because of a fault

4. Oxford8% of films

   to destroy sth or make it disappear, especially a particular feeling or attitude that sb has

In the movies · 57

• I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb the whole household, but my car broke down out here and I was wondering if I could use your phone.Clue1985
• Tommy completely broke down, had his head in his arms and he was crying.The Dawn Wall2017
• and got the police to break down the door.Trainspotting1996
• They start to break down.Come from Away2021
• Break it down fellasShark Tale2004
• Means my body can't break down trimethylamine.The Holdovers2023
• How about we break down to a smaller group?Trolls World Tour2020
• Then planes break down. Then the planes crash.The Aviator2004

Learn it in full scenes

• Clue1985
  • Mrs. Peacock Breaks the Ice
  • Guests Arrive at the Mansion
  • Wadsworth Reveals the Blackmail
• The Dawn Wall2017
  • Tommy's Father Toughens Him Up
  • Tommy Caldwell Wins Snowbird
  • Climbers Taken Hostage in Kyrgyzstan
• Come from Away2021
  • Gander Learns of the Emergency
  • Planes Land Unexpectedly in Gander
  • Gander Declares a State of Emergency

From the same entry

• break away
• break for
• break in
• break in
• break in
• break into
• break off
• break off
• break out
• break out
• break out in
• break through

More phrasal verbs

• split up
• laugh at
• get over
• stop by
• fall apart
• fit in
• speak up
• make up
• point out
• come across
• help out
• depend on