Top 56 Slang For Breaking Down – Meaning & Usage

Breaking down complex topics or situations can be a daunting task, but fear not, we’ve got you covered with a list of essential slang terms that will help you navigate through it all. From deciphering jargon to simplifying intricate concepts, our team has compiled the ultimate guide to make sure you’re always in the know. So, buckle up and get ready to level up your understanding with our curated list of slang for breaking down!

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1. Crumble

To crumble means to break into small pieces or to collapse. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or relationship that is falling apart.

For example, “The old building started to crumble after years of neglect.”
In a discussion about a failing business, someone might say, “The company’s finances are starting to crumble.”
A person describing their emotional state might say, “I felt my heart crumble when I heard the news.”

2. Disintegrate

To disintegrate means to break apart or decompose into smaller parts or particles. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the collapse or failure of something.

For instance, “The ancient parchment disintegrated when it was touched.”
In a discussion about a failed experiment, someone might say, “The chemicals caused the mixture to disintegrate.”
A person describing a deteriorating relationship might say, “Our marriage started to disintegrate after years of unresolved issues.”

3. Collapse

To collapse means to fall down suddenly or give way under pressure. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the failure or breakdown of something.

For example, “The bridge collapsed under the weight of the heavy truck.”
In a discussion about a financial crisis, someone might say, “The stock market collapse caused widespread panic.”
A person describing their physical exhaustion might say, “I collapsed on the couch after running a marathon.”

4. Dismantle

To dismantle means to take apart or disassemble something, usually in a careful or systematic manner. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the process of breaking down a complex problem or situation.

For instance, “The mechanic dismantled the engine to identify the problem.”
In a discussion about organizational restructuring, someone might say, “We need to dismantle the current hierarchy and rebuild a more efficient system.”
A person describing their approach to problem-solving might say, “I like to dismantle complex issues by breaking them down into smaller, manageable parts.”

5. Break apart

To break apart means to separate or split into smaller pieces or components. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the disintegration or dissolution of a relationship or group.

For example, “The vase fell off the shelf and broke apart.”
In a discussion about a failed partnership, someone might say, “Our differences caused the business to break apart.”
A person describing their emotional state might say, “I felt my world break apart when my loved one passed away.”

6. Fall to pieces

This phrase is used to describe something or someone that is falling apart or experiencing a complete breakdown.

For example, “After the breakup, she fell to pieces and couldn’t function for months.”
A person might say, “The stress of work caused him to fall to pieces and lose control.”
In a discussion about a failing business, someone might comment, “The company’s finances are in such disarray, it’s falling to pieces.”

7. Break up

To break up means to end a romantic relationship or partnership.

For instance, “They decided to break up after realizing they wanted different things.”
A person might say, “Breaking up is never easy, but sometimes it’s necessary for both parties.”
In a discussion about relationship advice, someone might suggest, “If you’re unhappy, it might be time to consider breaking up.”

8. Break down

To break down can mean to analyze or examine something in detail, or to disassemble or dismantle an object.

For example, “Let’s break down the data and see what patterns emerge.”
A person might say, “I need to break down this complex problem into smaller, more manageable parts.”
In a discussion about car repairs, someone might comment, “The mechanic will need to break down the engine to find the source of the problem.”

9. Break into

To break into can mean to enter a place forcibly or without permission, or to start a new activity or career.

For instance, “The burglars broke into the house while the owners were away.”
A person might say, “I’m hoping to break into the music industry and become a successful artist.”
In a discussion about job hunting, someone might ask, “How can I break into the tech industry without any prior experience?”

10. Break through

To break through means to overcome an obstacle or barrier, or to achieve a significant success.

For example, “After years of hard work, she finally broke through and achieved her dream.”
A person might say, “Don’t give up, keep pushing until you break through the challenges.”
In a discussion about scientific discoveries, someone might mention, “This breakthrough could potentially revolutionize the field.”

11. Break off

This phrase is used to describe something that abruptly ends or is abruptly terminated.

For example, “Their relationship started to break off after the big argument.”
A person might say, “I had to break off our conversation because I had to go to a meeting.”
In a discussion about negotiations, someone might mention, “The deal could break off if the terms are not agreed upon.”

12. Break down in tears

This phrase is used to describe someone who starts crying uncontrollably, often due to overwhelming emotions.

For instance, “After hearing the sad news, she broke down in tears.”
A person might say, “I couldn’t help but break down in tears when I saw the touching video.”
In a conversation about emotional moments, someone might share, “I always break down in tears during sentimental movies.”

13. Crumble away

This phrase is used to describe something that slowly disintegrates or falls apart over time.

For example, “The old building started to crumble away due to neglect.”
A person might say, “The cookie was so stale that it crumbled away when I picked it up.”
In a discussion about aging, someone might mention, “As we get older, our bodies start to crumble away.”

14. Fall apart at the seams

This phrase is used to describe something that completely breaks down or fails, often due to excessive stress or pressure.

For instance, “The project fell apart at the seams due to miscommunication.”
A person might say, “Her life started to fall apart at the seams after losing her job.”
In a conversation about relationships, someone might share, “Their marriage fell apart at the seams because of constant arguments.”

15. Crack up

This phrase is used to describe someone who laughs uncontrollably, often in a sudden or unexpected manner.

For example, “The comedian’s joke made the whole audience crack up.”
A person might say, “I couldn’t help but crack up when I saw the funny video.”
In a discussion about humorous moments, someone might share, “That comedian always cracks me up with their witty jokes.”

16. Break down the barriers

This phrase is used to describe the act of overcoming obstacles or challenges that are preventing progress or success. It can be used in a literal sense, such as breaking down physical barriers, or in a metaphorical sense, such as breaking down societal or cultural barriers.

For example, “We need to break down the barriers that are preventing equal opportunities for all.”
In a discussion about diversity and inclusion, someone might say, “It’s important to break down the barriers that exist in the workplace.”
A motivational speaker might encourage their audience by saying, “Don’t let anything stop you from breaking down the barriers to your dreams.”

17. Tear down

This phrase is used to describe the act of dismantling or destroying something, often with force or aggression. It can be used in a literal sense, such as tearing down a physical structure, or in a figurative sense, such as tearing down someone’s argument or reputation.

For instance, “They plan to tear down the old building and replace it with a new one.”
In a political debate, one might say, “His opponent tried to tear down his credibility with false accusations.”
A sports commentator might describe a team’s dominant performance as, “They completely tore down their opponents.”

18. Smash to pieces

This phrase is used to describe the act of completely destroying something, often with great force or impact. It implies breaking something into small, unrecognizable fragments.

For example, “The car accident caused the windshield to smash to pieces.”
In a video game review, one might say, “You can smash your enemies to pieces with powerful attacks.”
A movie critic might describe an intense action scene as, “The hero smashes the villain’s lair to pieces in an epic battle.”

19. Break down the door

This phrase is used to describe the act of forcefully entering a room or building by breaking down the door. It implies a sense of urgency or determination.

For instance, “The firefighters had to break down the door to rescue the trapped occupants.”
In a crime novel, a detective might say, “We need to break down the door and apprehend the suspect.”
A homeowner might describe their experience of a break-in by saying, “They broke down the door and stole valuable items.”

20. Break down the walls

This phrase is used to describe the act of removing barriers or restrictions that are preventing progress, communication, or understanding. It can be used in a literal sense, such as breaking down physical walls, or in a metaphorical sense, such as breaking down emotional or psychological walls.

For example, “We need to break down the walls between different communities and foster unity.”
In a therapy session, a counselor might encourage their client to “break down the walls” and open up about their feelings.
A motivational speaker might inspire their audience by saying, “Break down the walls that are holding you back and embrace your true potential.”

21. Shatter

Shatter is often used to describe something that has broken into multiple pieces, often with a loud or forceful impact.

For example, “I dropped the glass and it shattered all over the floor.”
In a conversation about a car accident, someone might say, “The impact was so strong that the windshield shattered.”
A person discussing a failed experiment might say, “The test tube shattered when I added the wrong chemical.”

22. Busted

Busted is slang for something that is broken or damaged, often beyond repair.

For instance, “I dropped my phone and now the screen is completely busted.”
In a conversation about a faulty appliance, someone might say, “The washing machine is busted and won’t turn on.”
A person discussing a failed relationship might say, “After the betrayal, trust between us was completely busted.”

23. Kaput

Kaput is a slang term used to describe something that is no longer functioning or broken beyond repair.

For example, “The engine in my car finally gave out and now it’s kaput.”
In a conversation about a malfunctioning computer, someone might say, “The hard drive crashed and now the whole system is kaput.”
A person discussing a failed business might say, “After the financial crisis, our company was left kaput.”

24. Crashed

Crashed is a term used to describe something that has stopped working suddenly or unexpectedly, often referring to a computer or electronic device.

For instance, “My computer crashed and I lost all my unsaved work.”
In a conversation about a car accident, someone might say, “The car crashed into a tree and the engine completely shut down.”
A person discussing a failed software program might say, “The application crashed and I had to restart my computer.”

25. Fried

Fried is a slang term used to describe something that has become inoperable due to overheating or excessive use, often referring to electronic devices.

For example, “I played video games for hours and now my console is completely fried.”
In a conversation about a malfunctioning phone, someone might say, “I left my phone in the sun and now the battery is fried.”
A person discussing a burnt-out lightbulb might say, “I accidentally left the light on all night and now it’s fried.”

26. Shot

When someone is “shot,” it means they are extremely tired or physically drained.

For example, after a long day at work, someone might say, “I’m so shot, I can barely keep my eyes open.”
A person who just finished a strenuous workout might exclaim, “I feel completely shot, but it was worth it.”
When discussing a difficult task, someone might say, “After all that hard work, I’m completely shot.”

27. Toast

When something is “toast,” it means it is irreparably damaged, broken, or destroyed.

For instance, if a computer crashes and cannot be fixed, someone might say, “Well, my computer is toast.”
If a person accidentally drops and shatters their phone, they might exclaim, “My phone is toast now!”
When a car breaks down and cannot be repaired, someone might say, “Looks like my car is toast.”

28. Wrecked

When someone is “wrecked,” it means they are completely exhausted or emotionally drained.

For example, after a long day of intense physical activity, someone might say, “I feel wrecked, I need to rest.”
If a person receives devastating news, they might say, “I’m emotionally wrecked right now.”
When discussing a challenging project or task, someone might exclaim, “That project wrecked me, but I’m proud of the result.”

29. Down for the count

When someone is “down for the count,” it means they are unable to continue or function due to exhaustion or injury.

For instance, after a strenuous workout, someone might say, “I’m down for the count, I can’t move.”
If a person falls ill and cannot attend an event, they might say, “Sorry, I’m down for the count, I won’t be able to make it.”
When discussing a physical injury, someone might say, “I twisted my ankle and I’m down for the count.”

30. Out of commission

When something or someone is “out of commission,” it means they are not functioning or temporarily unavailable.

For example, if a computer crashes and cannot be used, someone might say, “Sorry, my computer is out of commission.”
If a person is sick and unable to work, they might inform their colleagues, “I won’t be able to come in today, I’m out of commission.”
When discussing a broken appliance, someone might say, “The dishwasher is out of commission, we’ll have to wash dishes by hand.”

31. Out of order

This phrase is used to describe something that is not working correctly or is temporarily unavailable.

For example, “The elevator is out of order, please use the stairs.”
A person might say, “My computer is out of order, I need to get it fixed.”
In a restaurant, a sign might say, “Sorry, our ice cream machine is out of order.”

32. Dead in the water

This phrase is used to describe something that is completely stalled or unable to move forward.

For instance, “The project is dead in the water, we need a new strategy.”
A person might say, “My car broke down on the highway, now I’m dead in the water.”
In a business context, someone might say, “Without proper funding, our startup will be dead in the water.”

33. On the fritz

This phrase is used to describe something that is experiencing problems or not functioning correctly.

For example, “My phone is on the fritz, it keeps freezing.”
A person might say, “The coffee machine is on the fritz, it’s not brewing properly.”
In a conversation about home appliances, someone might say, “Our dishwasher has been on the fritz for weeks.”

34. Gone kaput

This phrase is used to describe something that has completely stopped working or is broken beyond repair.

For instance, “My old TV finally went kaput, time to buy a new one.”
A person might say, “The engine in my car went kaput, I had to get it replaced.”
In a discussion about technology, someone might say, “When my laptop’s hard drive went kaput, I lost all my files.”

35. Out of whack

This phrase is used to describe something that is not in its correct or normal state.

For example, “My sleep schedule is out of whack, I’ve been staying up all night.”
A person might say, “The budget for the project is out of whack, we need to make adjustments.”
In a conversation about personal health, someone might say, “My hormones are out of whack, I need to see a doctor.”

36. On the blink

This phrase is used to describe something that is not functioning correctly or is experiencing technical difficulties.

For example, “My computer is on the blink, I need to get it fixed.”
A person might say, “The TV is on the blink again, I can’t watch my favorite show.”
In a conversation about a malfunctioning car, someone might mention, “My car’s engine is on the blink, I need to take it to the mechanic.”

37. On the skids

This expression is used to describe something that is experiencing a downfall or deterioration.

For instance, “The company is on the skids, they’ve been losing money for months.”
A person might say, “Our relationship is on the skids, we’ve been arguing a lot.”
In a discussion about a failing sports team, someone might comment, “The team is on the skids, they haven’t won a game in weeks.”

38. In a shambles

This phrase is used to describe something that is in a state of complete disorder or disarray.

For example, “After the party, the house was in a shambles.”
A person might say, “My schedule is in a shambles, I have so much to do.”
In a conversation about a failed project, someone might mention, “The whole plan is in a shambles, nothing went according to plan.”

39. In pieces

This expression is used to describe something that is broken into multiple parts or is shattered.

For instance, “I dropped the vase and now it’s in pieces.”
A person might say, “Her heart was broken and now it’s in pieces.”
In a discussion about a car accident, someone might comment, “The car was hit so hard, it’s in pieces now.”

40. Inoperative

This word is used to describe something that is not currently working or functioning.

For example, “The elevator is inoperative, we’ll have to take the stairs.”
A person might say, “The printer is inoperative, I can’t print my documents.”
In a conversation about a malfunctioning machine, someone might mention, “The equipment is inoperative, we need to call a technician.”

41. Defunct

This term is often used to describe something that was once active or functional but is now obsolete or inactive.

For example, “That company went bankrupt and is now defunct.”
In a discussion about outdated technology, someone might say, “Remember when floppy disks were the standard storage medium? They’re completely defunct now.”
A person might describe an abandoned building as “an eerie reminder of a defunct era.”

42. Useless

This term is used to describe something that is ineffective, unhelpful, or unable to fulfill its intended function.

For instance, “This broken pencil is useless.”
In a conversation about a poorly designed tool, someone might say, “This gadget is supposed to make cooking easier, but it’s actually useless.”
A person might describe a malfunctioning electronic device as “completely useless.”

43. Nonfunctional

This term is used to describe something that is unable to perform its intended function or is not in working order.

For example, “The elevator is nonfunctional, so we’ll have to take the stairs.”
In a discussion about a faulty appliance, someone might say, “The toaster is nonfunctional and needs to be replaced.”
A person might describe a malfunctioning car as “temporarily nonfunctional until it gets repaired.”

44. Deteriorate

This term is used to describe the process of something declining or deteriorating in quality, condition, or value over time.

For instance, “If you don’t take care of your car, it will deteriorate.”
In a conversation about an old painting, someone might say, “Over the years, the colors have started to deteriorate.”
A person might describe the state of a neglected garden as “deteriorating due to lack of maintenance.”

45. Fall apart

This term is used to describe something physically breaking down or falling into pieces.

For example, “The old chair finally fell apart after years of use.”
In a discussion about a poorly constructed building, someone might say, “The walls are starting to crack, and the whole structure could fall apart.”
A person might describe a failing relationship as “slowly falling apart.”

46. Break into pieces

To break something into multiple smaller parts or fragments. This phrase is often used to describe when something is physically broken or destroyed.

For example, “The vase fell off the shelf and broke into pieces.”
A person might say, “Be careful with that glass, it’s fragile and can easily break into pieces.”
In a discussion about a car accident, someone might mention, “The impact was so strong that the car’s windshield broke into pieces.”

47. Crumble down

To fall apart or disintegrate, often due to decay or lack of structural integrity. This phrase is commonly used to describe buildings or structures that are in a state of disrepair.

For instance, “The abandoned house crumbled down after years of neglect.”
A person might say, “The old bridge is in such bad condition, it could crumble down at any moment.”
In a conversation about an aging infrastructure, someone might comment, “If we don’t invest in repairs soon, our roads and bridges will crumble down.”

48. Break down into tears

To suddenly start crying intensely or without restraint. This phrase is often used to describe a strong emotional response, such as sadness, grief, or frustration.

For example, “When she heard the news, she broke down into tears.”
A person might say, “After a long day, I just need to relax and let myself break down into tears.”
In a discussion about a heart-wrenching movie scene, someone might say, “That scene always makes me break down into tears.”

49. Give way

To yield or surrender to pressure or force. This phrase is often used to describe when something cannot withstand or resist a certain amount of stress or strain.

For instance, “The old wooden bridge finally gave way under the weight of the truck.”
A person might say, “I can’t handle all this stress anymore, I feel like I’m going to give way.”
In a conversation about a failing relationship, someone might comment, “Eventually, one of us will give way and end it.”

50. Come apart

To disassemble or fall apart, often due to a lack of structural integrity or proper maintenance. This phrase is commonly used to describe objects or things that are no longer held together.

For example, “The toy robot came apart after being dropped.”
A person might say, “This cheaply made furniture is starting to come apart.”
In a discussion about a broken zipper, someone might mention, “The zipper on my jacket came apart, and now I can’t close it.”

51. Come undone

– For example, “After the breakup, she started to come undone.”

In a discussion about a failing business, someone might say, “The company’s financials are starting to come undone.”
A person describing their emotional state might say, “Lately, I feel like I’m coming undone.”

52. Go to pieces

– For instance, “When she heard the news, she went to pieces.”

In a conversation about a stressful situation, someone might say, “I’m afraid I’ll go to pieces if this keeps up.”
A person describing their reaction to a tragic event might say, “I went to pieces when I heard about the accident.”

53. Disassemble

– For example, “He disassembled the furniture to move it.”

In a discussion about repairing a device, someone might say, “You’ll need to disassemble it to fix the problem.”
A person giving instructions on how to clean a firearm might say, “First, disassemble the gun into its main components.”

54. Fall to bits

– For instance, “The old book was falling to bits.”

In a conversation about a crumbling building, someone might say, “The structure is falling to bits.”
A person describing a worn-out piece of clothing might say, “These shoes are falling to bits.”

55. Crumble to dust

– For example, “The ancient artifact crumbled to dust when touched.”

In a discussion about the decay of a historical monument, someone might say, “Over time, the statue will crumble to dust.”
A person describing the end of a once-powerful empire might say, “The empire crumbled to dust, leaving only ruins behind.”

56. Disintegrate into nothing

This phrase is used to describe something or someone completely disappearing or breaking down into nothingness.
-For example, “After the explosion, the building disintegrated into nothing.”
-In a fantasy novel, a character might use a magic spell to make an enemy disintegrate into nothing.
-A person describing a failed business might say, “The company’s finances were mismanaged, causing it to disintegrate into nothing.”