break down

break down(

)

An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g. Everybody please stand up.).

intransitive verb phrase

1. (to stop functioning)

a. estropearse

The hot water heater broke down last night while I was in the shower.Anoche, se estropeó la caldera mientras estaba en la ducha.

b. averiarse

My car broke down in the middle of nowhere, so I had to hitchhike.Se averió el auto en el medio de la nada, así que tuve que hacer dedo.

c. descomponerse

Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.

(Latin America)

The car broke down because the radiator overheated.El carro se descompuso porque el radiador se recalentó.

2. (to succumb to emotional stress)

a. derrumbarse

After working sleeplessly for weeks, he broke down and started screaming at his boss.Después de trabajar sin dormir durante semanas, se derrumbó y empezó a gritarle a su jefe.

b. echarse a llorar

When he realized she had gone for good, he broke down.Cuando se dio cuenta de que ella se había ido para siempre, se echó a llorar.

c. romper a llorar

I can't watch "Bambi" without breaking down.No puedo ver "Bambi" sin romper a llorar.

3. (to fail)

a. fracasar (negotiations)

Talks between the two countries broke down after the attack.Las negociaciones entre los dos países fracasaron tras el atentado.

4. (to divide into constituents)

a. descomponerse

As citric acid breaks down, what substance is released?¿Qué sustancia se libera al descomponerse el ácido cítrico?

A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g. Take out the trash.).

transitive verb phrase

5. (to destroy)

a. derribar

The detective obtained a warrant and went to break down the door of the suspect.El detective obtuvo una orden de detención y se dirigió a derribar la puerta del sospechoso.

b. echar abajo

They began to break down the Berlin Wall in 1990.Empezaron a echar abajo el Muro de Berlín en 1990.

6. (to separate)

a. dividir

It's easier if we break the work down into stages.Es más fácil si dividimos el trabajo en etapas.

A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).

(figurative)

(to overcome)

a. vencer (resistance)

How can we break down people's resistance to change?¿Cómo podemos vencer la resistencia de la gente al cambio?

8. (to analyze)

a. desglosar (figures)

I can break down the charges on your bill so it's easier to understand.Puedo desglosar los cargos de la factura para que sea más fácil de entender.

b. descomponer

It can be difficult to break down a complicated sentence.Puede ser difícil descomponer una oración complicada.

9. (to decompose)

a. descomponer

In a hydrolysis reaction, water is used to break down a molecule.En una reacción de hidrólisis, se emplea agua para descomponer una molécula.

break down

A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g. Take out the trash.).

transitive verb phrase

1. (destroy; resistance)

a. vencer

2. (analyze; argument)

a. dividir

3. (figures)

a. desglosar

An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g. The man sneezed.).

intransitive verb

4. (car, machine)

a. estropearse, averiarse

5. (talks)

a. romperse

6. (argument)

a. fallar, desmoronarse

7. (person under pressure)

a. derrumbarse

to b down in tearsromper a llorar

break down

transitive verb

1 (destroy) [+door etc] echar abajo; derribar; [+resistance] vencer; acabar con; [+suspicion] disipar

2 (analyse) [+figures] analizar; desglosar; [+substance] descomponer

chewing releases digestive enzymes in the saliva that break down foods so that the stomach and intestines have less work to do As fibre-rich waste products are broken down in the large bowel, a number of products are formed it uses bacteria to break down oils and fats into harmless, soluble waste worms and woodlice as well as bacteria will break down the waste into a lovely peaty substance

verb:intransitive:plus_adverb

[+machine] estropearse; malograrse; (Peru) descomponerse; (LAm) (Aut) averiarse; descomponerse; (LAm) [+person] (under pressure) derrumbarse; (from emotion) romper or echarse a llorar; [+health] quebrantarse; [+talks etc] fracasar; [+chemicals, waste] descomponerse

the action of the enzymes causes the waste to break down their bags are designed to break down

Collins Complete Spanish Electronic Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Examples