breaks down
Falls apart completely
Breaks down has several connected meanings, all involving something ceasing to function properly or coming apart.
A car breaks down when it stops working: We broke down on the highway.
A person breaks down when overwhelmed by emotion: She broke down crying.
Negotiations or systems break down when they fail: Talks broke down over wages.
To break something down is also to divide it into components for analysis: Let me break down the costs for you.
Makes less complex
- clarifiesMakes more understandable
- elucidatesMakes something understandable
- demystifiesMakes understandable
- illustratesShows by example
teaches · conveys · translates · spells out · lays out · step-by-step · tutorial · guide
Weeps or shouts
- weepsCries audibly
- sobsInvoluntary sounds of weeping
- collapsesSuddenly falls inward
- falls apartBreaks into components
crumbles · overwhelmed · distraught · hysterical · inconsolable · tears · meltdown · snaps
Undergoes organic breakdown
- decaysDeteriorates over time
- decomposesBreaks into simpler components
- biodegradesBreaks down naturally
- compostsDecays organic matter
putrefies · disintegrates · ferments · molders · deteriorates · corrodes · perishes · spoils
Cuts open to examine
- examinesLooks at thoroughly
- scrutinizesExamines in close detail
- evaluatesJudges quality or value
- parsesExamines syntax systematically
itemizes · categorizes · organizes · systematizes · outlines · diagrams · charts · tabulates
Does not succeed
- crashesSudden violent impacts
- stallsDelays or compartments
- seizesTakes by force
- gives outDispenses or fails
conks out · malfunctions · dies · quits · sputters · freezes · glitches · short-circuits
Takes something apart systematically
- disassemblesTakes something apart
- takes apartSeparates into components
- stripsNarrow cut pieces
- deconstructsAnalyzes by breaking apart
separates · detaches · reduces · divides · partitions · segments · sections · portions
simplifies
Makes less complex
- clarifiesMakes more understandable
- elucidatesMakes something understandable
- demystifiesMakes understandable
illustrates · teaches · conveys · translates · spells out · lays out · step-by-step · tutorial · guide · demonstrates
cries
Weeps or shouts
falls apart · crumbles · overwhelmed · distraught · hysterical · inconsolable · tears · meltdown · snaps · unravels
rots
Undergoes organic breakdown
- decaysDeteriorates over time
- decomposesBreaks into simpler components
- biodegradesBreaks down naturally
composts · putrefies · disintegrates · ferments · molders · deteriorates · corrodes · perishes · spoils · oxidizes
dissects
Cuts open to examine
- examinesLooks at thoroughly
- scrutinizesExamines in close detail
- evaluatesJudges quality or value
parses · itemizes · categorizes · organizes · systematizes · outlines · diagrams · charts · tabulates · sorts
fails
Does not succeed
gives out · conks out · malfunctions · dies · quits · sputters · freezes · glitches · short-circuits · overheats
dismantles
Takes something apart systematically
- disassemblesTakes something apart
- takes apartSeparates into components
- stripsNarrow cut pieces
deconstructs · separates · detaches · reduces · divides · partitions · segments · sections · portions · splits
- losing itloses it, snaps, freaks out, flips out, goes crazy
- erodeserodes, corrodes, abrades, wears down, wears out
- verbsjump, be, speak, wait, do
- tenderizingtenderizer, mallet, meat mallet, meat tenderizer, pounding
- lays outarranges, organizes, displays, spreads, presents
breaks downholds together
Remains unified, intact
builds up · comes together · solidifies · coalesces · assembles
breaks downholds it together
Maintains stability or composure
copes · keeps it together · perseveres · soldiers on · endures
break, broken, broke, breaking, unbroken, breakdown, breaks, break down, unbreakable