Commonly confused
Break down vs Break out
“Break down” and “Break out” look alike but pull in different directions. Here is what each one means, with examples — and the difference that learners most often miss.
The key difference
Break down means stop working. Break out means start suddenly.
break down
- 1
(of a vehicle or machine) stop working
“The car broke down on the motorway.”
- 2
Lose emotional control and start crying
“She broke down at the funeral.”
- 3
Separate something into smaller parts to understand it
“Let's break the costs down.”
break out
- 1
(of war, fire or disease) start suddenly
“War broke out in 1939.”
Stop mixing them up
Sink In turns confusable pairs like this into quick contrast drills, so the right particle becomes automatic.