break down

verb12

1. •
   To stop functioning.

   • I am afraid my computer will break down if I try to run it at too high a speed.
2. •
   To fail, especially socially or for political reasons.

   • Talks broke down between Prime Minister John Doe and the opposition party.
   • Relations broke down between Greece and Turkey.
3. •
   (figurative) To render or to become weak and ineffective.

   • His authority and influence over his coordinates broke down gradually.
4. •
   (figurative) To render or to become unstable due to stress, to collapse physically or mentally.

   • She is back to work now, after she broke down the other day.
5. •
   To separate into a number of parts.

   • The goods station is a transhipment centre (centre de transbordement) at which loads made up at other centres are broken down and redespatched to destinations in the area. — 1950
6. •
   (figurative) To divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of.

   • If you don't understand, ask him to break down the numbers for you.
7. •
   To (cause to) decay, to decompose.

   • Leaves and grass will break down into compost faster if you keep them moist.
8. •
   To digest.

   • His stomach took a while to break down his food.
   • His food took a while to break down in his stomach.
9. •
   To unexpectedly collapse, physically or in structure.
10. •
    To intentionally demolish; to pull down.
11. •
    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?
12. •
    (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.