15秒了解
- Used when machines or vehicles stop working suddenly.
- Describes losing emotional control and crying from stress.
- Means simplifying complex information into smaller, manageable parts.
意思
This phrase is most commonly used when a machine, like a car or a laptop, suddenly stops working. It can also mean losing emotional control and starting to cry because things got too stressful.
关键例句
3 / 6Car trouble on the way to work
My old car finally decided to break down on the highway this morning.
My old car finally decided to break down on the highway this morning.
Explaining a difficult concept
Can you break down the new project requirements for the team?
Can you break down the new project requirements for the team?
Watching a sad movie
I totally broke down and cried during the final scene of the movie.
I totally broke down and cried during the final scene of the movie.
文化背景
The 'Breakdown Service' (like the AA or RAC) is a major part of British life. Most drivers pay for a yearly subscription just in case their car breaks down. In US business culture, 'breaking it down' is seen as a sign of transparency and efficiency. Managers love 'granular breakdowns' of data. The term 'nervous breakdown' was very common in the 20th century but is now often replaced by more specific clinical terms like 'acute stress disorder' or 'burnout.' On social media, people often use 'breakdown' to describe a video where they explain a complex topic, like a movie plot or a celebrity drama.
Use it for machines
If it has an engine or a battery and it stops working, 'break down' is almost always the right phrase.
Pronoun placement
When explaining something, remember: 'Break IT down,' not 'Break down IT.'
15秒了解
- Used when machines or vehicles stop working suddenly.
- Describes losing emotional control and crying from stress.
- Means simplifying complex information into smaller, manageable parts.
What It Means
Think of break down as something losing its ability to function. If your car engine quits on the highway, it has broken down. If a complex machine stops spinning, it breaks down. But humans aren't machines. When we break down, it means our emotional walls have collapsed. You might cry or feel overwhelmed. It is about a total stop in progress or control.
How To Use It
You can use it for objects or people. For objects, it is usually a surprise. You don't plan for a car to break down. For people, it often follows a long period of stress. You can also use it to explain something complex. If you break down a math problem, you are cutting it into small, easy pieces. It’s a very versatile tool for your vocabulary kit.
When To Use It
Use it when your washing machine floods the kitchen. Use it when you are telling a friend about a sad movie that made you cry. It’s perfect for the office too. You can break down the quarterly budget for your boss. It sounds professional and organized in that context. Just don't tell your boss you're about to break down unless you really need a hug!
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for small glitches. If your phone screen flickers for a second, it didn't break down. That’s just a glitch. Also, avoid using it for physical injuries. You don't break down your arm; you break it. It’s for systems and emotions, not bones. Using it for a simple cold or flu would also sound a bit dramatic and strange.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, breaking down a problem is seen as a sign of high intelligence. We love to simplify things! However, an emotional breakdown was historically something people hid. Today, that has changed. People are much more open about their mental health. Saying "I had a bit of a breakdown" is now a common way to vent to friends.
Common Variations
You will often hear the noun version: a breakdown. A car has a breakdown, or someone has a nervous breakdown. You might also hear break it down for me. This is a fun, slightly cool way to ask someone to explain a secret or a plan. It’s like saying, "Give me the details!"
使用说明
The phrase is very safe to use in almost any setting. Just remember to use the past tense `broke down` for things that already happened, and avoid using it for minor, easily fixed tech issues.
Use it for machines
If it has an engine or a battery and it stops working, 'break down' is almost always the right phrase.
Pronoun placement
When explaining something, remember: 'Break IT down,' not 'Break down IT.'
The noun form
Use the noun 'breakdown' for a summary. 'Can I have a breakdown of the costs?' sounds very professional.
Emotional sensitivity
Saying someone 'broke down' is a sympathetic way to describe them crying. It sounds more caring than just saying 'they cried.'
例句
6My old car finally decided to break down on the highway this morning.
My old car finally decided to break down on the highway this morning.
Refers to mechanical failure.
Can you break down the new project requirements for the team?
Can you break down the new project requirements for the team?
Refers to simplifying information.
I totally broke down and cried during the final scene of the movie.
I totally broke down and cried during the final scene of the movie.
Refers to an emotional release.
The toaster broke down right when I was starving, of course!
The toaster broke down right when I was starving, of course!
Hyperbolic use for a small appliance.
If one more thing goes wrong today, I might actually break down.
If one more thing goes wrong today, I might actually break down.
Expressing high stress levels.
We need to break down the costs to see where we can save money.
We need to break down the costs to see where we can save money.
Refers to analyzing data.
自我测试
Fill in the correct form of 'break down'.
The car ________ on the way to the airport yesterday.
The sentence refers to 'yesterday,' so we need the past tense 'broke down'.
Which sentence uses 'break down' to mean 'analyze'?
Choose the correct option:
In this context, it means to divide a large task into smaller, manageable parts.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Why are you so late? B: My car ________ on the highway.
'Broke down' is used for mechanical failure in vehicles.
Match the sentence to the situation.
1. 'I'll break down the costs.' 2. 'She broke down in tears.' 3. 'The boiler broke down.'
1 matches Analysis, 2 matches Emotional, 3 matches Mechanical.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
Break Down vs. Break Up
练习题库
4 练习The car ________ on the way to the airport yesterday.
The sentence refers to 'yesterday,' so we need the past tense 'broke down'.
Choose the correct option:
In this context, it means to divide a large task into smaller, manageable parts.
A: Why are you so late? B: My car ________ on the highway.
'Broke down' is used for mechanical failure in vehicles.
1. 'I'll break down the costs.' 2. 'She broke down in tears.' 3. 'The boiler broke down.'
1 matches Analysis, 2 matches Emotional, 3 matches Mechanical.
🎉 得分： /4
常见问题
10 个问题Usually, it implies crying, but it can also mean a mental collapse where the person just stops being able to function, even if they aren't sobbing.
No. 'Out of order' is a sign you see on a machine. 'Break down' is the action of it stopping. You wouldn't say 'The elevator is break down.'
Yes, but only in a formal sense to mean the relationship failed. 'The marriage broke down.' For a casual breakup, use 'break up.'
It's an older term for a period of mental illness where someone cannot function due to stress or depression.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes, that is the literal meaning—using force to make a door fall.
'Malfunction' is more technical and formal. 'Break down' is more common in everyday speech.
Yes, in biology. 'The stomach breaks down food.'
'Broke down' is the past tense. 'Broken down' is the adjective or past participle. 'My car is broken down.'
Yes, but we often say 'crash' for software. 'Break down' usually implies a hardware problem.
相关表达
conk out
synonymTo suddenly stop working (informal).
give out
similarTo stop working because of age or wear.
fall apart
similarTo break into pieces or to lose emotional control.
analyze
synonymTo examine in detail.
crack up
contrastTo start laughing uncontrollably (or to have a mental breakdown).
