break down

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intransitive, usually To stop functioning. I am afraid my computer will break down if I try to run it at too high a speed.
intransitive To unexpectedly collapse, physically or in structure.
transitive To intentionally demolish; to pull down.
intransitive To fail, especially socially or for political reasons. Talks broke down between Prime Minister John Doe and the opposition party.
idiomatic, intransitive To give in or give up: relent, concede, surrender. Is it worth taking it to a repair shop, or should I just break down and buy a new one?
ergative, figuratively To render or to become unstable due to stress, to collapse physically or mentally. Near-synonym: come undone
ergative, figuratively To render or to become weak and ineffective. His authority and influence over his coordinates broke down gradually.
ergative To (cause to) decay, to decompose. Leaves and grass will break down into compost faster if you keep them moist.
To separate into a number of parts. Near-synonyms: break apart, break up, take apart, tear down, tear up
ergative, figuratively To divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of. Near-synonym: analyze
ergative To digest. Near-synonym: catabolize
informal To bust down or bust a move; to perform energetic, often freestyle or hip-hop moves, frequently during a song’s instrumental break where only drums or bass are playing; see breakdown.