break down

• Verbo frasal que se usa para indicar la acción de separar algo en partes más pequeñas para su análisis o de dejar de funcionar (por ejemplo, un mecanismo o un vehículo).

A phrasal verb used to indicate the act of separating something into smaller parts for analysis, or to stop functioning (as in a machine or vehicle).

incontable · verbo irregular · transitivo e intransitivo · phrasal, separable

1. Stop functioninginformal

   To stop working or operating properly, usually referring to machinery or vehicles.

   averiarse

   • My car broke down on the highway yesterday.
   • The elevator broke down, so we had to take the stairs.
   • The computer system broke down during the presentation.

   Sinónimosconk outdiefailgive outmalfunction

   Antónimosfunctionoperaterunwork

2. Analyze or separateformal

   To divide something into smaller parts in order to understand it better.

   descomponer, analizar

   • Let's break down the problem into manageable steps.
   • The teacher broke down the complex equation for the students.
   • We need to break down the budget by department.

   Sinónimosanalyzedecomposedeconstructdissectexamineparseresolveseparate

   Antónimosassemblecombineunify

3. Lose emotional controlinformal

   To become very upset or lose control of one's emotions.

   Perder el control emocional

   • She broke down in tears after hearing the news.
   • He broke down under the pressure of the exam.
   • The witness broke down while describing the accident.

   Sinónimoscollapsecome apartcrack updisintegratefall apartgo to pieceslose it

   Antónimoscalmcomposesoothesteady

4. Decompose or decayformal

   To cause something to decompose or rot over time.

   descomponerse

   • Bacteria help break down organic matter in the soil.
   • The chemicals break down the waste into harmless substances.
   • Over time, the plastic will break down into microplastics.

   Sinónimosdecaydecomposedegradedisintegrateputrefyrotspoil

Verbo basebreak