Break Down Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

This database is a comprehensive collection of all the American idioms and slang available. American Idioms are many and varied. We hope you enjoy our collection. We are adding more all the time. .

break down What does break down mean?	to lose control of one's emotions	The woman broke down while the lawyer questioned her at the trial.
break down What does break down mean?	to stop working because of mechanical failure	The car broke down on the lonely road and nobody knew about it.
break down What does break down mean?	to fail, to stop	The negotiations broke down last night when both sides refused to compromise.
break down What does break down mean?	to lose control of one's emotions, to have a nervous collapse	The woman broke down while the lawyer questioned her at the trial.
break down What does break down mean?	to stop working because of mechanical failure	The car broke down on the quiet road.
break down What does break down mean?	to fail, to stop	The negotiations broke down last night when both sides refused to compromise.
	Some Random Idioms
reach first base What does "reach first base" mean?	to make a good start, to succeed	We were unable to reach first base in the discussions.

word for word What does "word for word" mean?	in exactly the same words	I described word for word exactly what had happened before the accident.
offensive weapon What does "offensive weapon" mean?	any weapon capable of being used to cause physical injury or harm	The young man with the knife was charged with carrying an offensive weapon.
work out (for the best) What does "work out (for the best)" mean?	to end successfully	I hope that everything will work out for my friend when she moves to London next week.
die is cast What does "die is cast" mean?	a decision has already been made and you cannot change it	We have decided to move to Paris. Now the die is cast and we cannot change our plans.
butt in (on someone or something) What does "butt in (on someone or something)" mean?	to interrupt someone or something	I do not like that woman because she always butts in on our conversations while we are talking.
cut down on (something) What does "cut down on (something)" mean?	to use less of something	Recently, the man has cut down on his smoking in order to become more healthy.
Take your hat off to somebody What does "Take your hat off to somebody" mean?	If you take your hat off to someone, you acknowledge that they have done something exceptional or otherwise deserve your respect.
smell a rat What does "smell a rat" mean?	to be suspicious of someone or something, to feel that something is wrong	I smell a rat. There is something wrong with the free credit card offer.
neither fish nor fowl What does "neither fish nor fowl" mean?	something that does not belong to a definite group or category	I do not know what you should call the strange food. It is neither fish nor fowl.

American Idioms and Expressions

Break Down Idiom