Meaning of the word "broke down" in English

What does "broke down" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

broke down

US /broʊk daʊn/
UK /brəʊk daʊn/

Phrasal Verb

1.

to stop functioning (for a machine or system)

Example:
My car broke down on the way to work.
The old washing machine often breaks down.
2.

to lose control of one's emotions; to cry uncontrollably

Example:
She broke down in tears when she heard the news.
He almost broke down under the pressure.
3.

to analyze or explain something in detail

Example:
Let's break down the problem into smaller parts.
The report breaks down the sales figures by region.