Break down意思

"Break down" is a versatile English phrase that can have several different meanings depending on the context. Here are some of the common uses:

1. Physical Deterioration: It can refer to the physical failure or breakdown of something, such as a machine, vehicle, or structure. For example, "The old car broke down on the side of the road."

2. Emotional Distress: It can also mean to become emotionally overwhelmed or to have an emotional breakdown. For instance, "She broke down in tears after hearing the bad news."

3. Analyze or Explain: In a more abstract sense, "break down" can mean to analyze or explain something in detail. For example, "Can you break down the steps involved in this process?"

4. Separate into Components: It can refer to the act of dividing something into its constituent parts. For instance, "We need to break down the furniture before we can move it."

5. Physically Separate: In a physical sense, it can mean to dismantle or take something apart. For example, "The old shed needs to be broken down before we can build a new one."

6. Disintegrate or Destroy: It can also mean to cause something to fall apart or disintegrate. For instance, "The high winds broke down the old barn."

7. Fail or Stop Working: In the context of plans or systems, it can mean to fail or stop working. For example, "The plan to finish on time broke down when the team couldn't agree on the schedule."

8. Reduce or Simplify: In a more metaphorical sense, it can mean to reduce something to its basic elements or to simplify it. For instance, "We need to break down the information into more manageable chunks for the students."

The phrase "break down" is widely used in both spoken and written English, and its meaning can vary significantly depending on the context. It's important to consider the surrounding text or conversation to determine the correct interpretation.