Meaning trap
break down
lose emotional control
If someone breaks down, they suddenly become very upset and cannot control their feelings, often crying.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
If someone breaks down, they suddenly become very upset and cannot control their feelings, often crying.
Another meaning of 'break down' is 'stop working'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- She broke down in tears when she heard the news.family
- When I failed the exam, I broke down because I had worked so hard for it.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: Subject + break down
WrongHe broke down to cry.
RightHe broke down crying. / He broke down in tears.
Use 'break down crying / in tears', not 'break down to cry'.
PatternSubject + break down
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Break down' is the natural verb for losing emotional control; the formal paraphrase is clinical and distant.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
break down + emotionin tearscryingcompletelyemotionally
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'break up' (to end a relationship).
Related
- break down (stop working) — Another meaning of 'break down' is 'stop working'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.