break down

Cars (or machines) can break down (= stop working):

 ➤ Our car broke down and we had to call the rescue services.

People can also break down (= be very upset):

 ➤ He broke down (in tears) when he read her letter.

The noun is a (nervous) breakdown (= a collapse from stress):

 ➤ You should take a break from work. If you carry on like this, you'll have a breakdown.

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Lernsprache
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Interred ArticleId
23038564