break down1cease to function or continue; fail.
2lose control of one's emotions when in distress.
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Thesaurusbreak down1his van broke down.:Seebreakverbsense 4.
2pay negotiations broke down: FAIL, collapse, founder, fall through, disintegrate;informalfizzle out.
3Vicky broke down, sobbing loudly: BURST INTO TEARS; lose control, be overcome, go to pieces, crumble, disintegrate;informalcrack up, lose it.
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