of a machine or vehicle: to stop working suddenly
of an agreement, talks, etc: to fail or become unworkable
of a person: to give way to feelings, to show distress
to cause (a door, etc) to collapse by breaking or shattering it
to separate (a substance) into its components or elements
to cause (a structure or barrier) to fall or collapse by breaking or shattering it
to remove (a hindrance to progress, etc)
to divide (something) into parts or categories for purposes of analysis
to separate (a chemical compound, etc) into simpler substances
to take (something) apart, esp for storage or shipment and for later reassembly
said of a vehicle or other machine: to become inoperative through breakage or wear
to deteriorate or fail
Relations broke down
to allow of analysis or subdivision
The outline breaks down into three parts
to undergo decomposition
to lose one's composure completely