break down

• Verbe à particule utilisé pour désigner l'action de séparer quelque chose en parties plus petites pour l'analyser, ou l'arrêt de fonctionnement d'un mécanisme ou d'un véhicule.

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).

indénombrable · verbe irrégulier · transitif et intransitif · phrasal, séparable

1. Stop functioninginformal

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

   tomber en panne

   • 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.

   Synonymesconk outdiefailgive outmalfunction

   Antonymesfunctionoperaterunwork

2. Analyze or separateformal

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

   décomposer

   • 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.

   Synonymesanalyzedecomposedeconstructdissectexamineparseresolveseparate

   Antonymesassemblecombineunify

3. Lose emotional controlinformal

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

   craquer émotionnellement

   • 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.

   Synonymescollapsecome apartcrack updisintegratefall apartgo to pieceslose it

   Antonymescalmcomposesoothesteady

4. Decompose or decayformal

   To cause something to decompose or rot over time.

   décomposer

   • 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.

   Synonymesdecaydecomposedegradedisintegrateputrefyrotspoil

Verbe de basebreak