Words / B1

BRAYKD-own/ˈbreɪkdaʊn/

A breakdown is often a vehicle that stops working: a breakdown on the motorway; call a breakdown service; breakdown cover on insurance. It can also mean a mental or physical collapse from stress (a nervous breakdown — handle this sense briefly and kindly). Breakdown of talks means negotiations have failed. Break down is the verb (two words). Do not write “the car made a breakdown” — we had a breakdown / the car broke down.

Meaning

When a vehicle or machine stops working; also a time when stress means you cannot cope.

Examples

• “We had a breakdown on the M1 and waited for a recovery truck.”
• “Breakdown cover paid for the recovery truck on the M6.”
• “Talks between the union and management ended in a breakdown.”

Good to know

a breakdown on the motorway; breakdown cover / service. Verb: break down (two words). Also: a breakdown in talks.

Near in meaning

failure

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