|
|
- See:
- break
| part of speech: |
phrase |
| definition 1: |
When a machine breaks down, it stops working. Things like cars, trucks, buses, and elevators sometimes break down.
When the school bus broke down, we had to wait for another one to come.We have to walk up the stairs because the elevator broke down yesterday.- synonyms:
- collapse
- similar words:
- fail
|
| definition 2: |
If one things breaks down another thing, it breaks it into smaller and smaller bits. When you put food into your mouth, your saliva begins to break it down. Substances in your stomach break the food down even more.
The job of the digestive system is to break down food so that the body can use the substances in the food for fuel and for other things.Liquid for washing dishes breaks down grease. |
| related words: |
factor, fold |
|
|