Idioms: break down

Break down has several meanings. Let's look at a few (not all) of them.

If a computer or a car breaks down, it stops working and you cannot use it.

Here, broken-down can be used as an adjective. A broken-down car is a car in really bad condition - probably old, needs a lot of repair.

If a person breaks down, they give in to pressure. A person 'breaking down' can mean 'crying and getting really upset', or 'giving up'.

They had an argument and he broke down in tears.

I am so stressed I just want to break down and cry.

She wouldn't tell the police anything. But after hours of questioning, she broke down and confessed her crime.

If you 'have a break-down', it means you have some kind of emotional crisis; you collapse; you can't cope with the situation.

Have you ever had a machine break down? Have you ever broken down* while you were driving? What did you do? *(=Has your car ever broken down)

Have you ever broken down when you were under pressure? Or were you able to stay tough?