Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

3 PHRASAL VERB To break down something such as an idea or statement means to separate it into smaller parts in order to make it easier to understand or deal with. □ [V P n] The report breaks down the results region by region. □ [be V -ed P + into ] These rules tell us how a sentence is broken down into phrases. [Also V n P + into ]

4 PHRASAL VERB When a substance breaks down or when something breaks it down , a biological or chemical process causes it to separate into the substances which make it up. □ [V P ] Over time, the protein in the eggshell breaks down into its constituent amino acids. □ [V n P ] The oil is attacked by naturally occurring microbes which break it down. [Also V P n]

5 PHRASAL VERB If someone breaks down , they lose control of themselves and start crying. □ [V P ] Because he was being so kind and concerned, I broke down and cried.

6 PHRASAL VERB If you break down a door or barrier, you hit it so hard that it falls to the ground. □ [V P n] An unruly mob broke down police barricades and stormed the courtroom. □ [V n P ] Firefighters were called after his father failed to break the door down.

7 PHRASAL VERB To break down barriers or prejudices that separate people or restrict their freedom means to change people's attitudes so that the barriers or prejudices no longer exist. [APPROVAL ] □ [V P n] His early experience enabled him to break down barriers between Scottish Catholics and Protestants. [Also V n P ]

8 → see also breakdown , broken-down

▸  break in

1 PHRASAL VERB If someone, usually a thief, breaks in , they get into a building by force. □ [V P ] Masked robbers broke in and made off with $8,000.

2 → see also break-in

3 PHRASAL VERB If you break in on someone's conversation or activity, you interrupt them. □ [V P + on ] O'Leary broke in on his thoughts. □ [V P ] Mrs Southern listened keenly, occasionally breaking in with pertinent questions. □ [V P with quote] 'She told you to stay here,' Mike broke in.

4 PHRASAL VERB If you break someone in , you get them used to a new job or situation. □ [V P n] The band are breaking in a new backing vocalist. [Also V n P ]

5 PHRASAL VERB If you break in something new, you gradually use or wear it for longer and longer periods until it is ready to be used or worn all the time. □ [V P n] When breaking in an engine, you should refrain from high speed for the first thousand miles. [Also V n P ]

▸  break into

1 PHRASAL VERB If someone breaks into a building, they get into it by force. □ [V P n] There was no one nearby who might see him trying to break into the house.

2 PHRASAL VERB If someone breaks into something they suddenly start doing it. For example if someone breaks into a run they suddenly start running, and if they break into song they suddenly start singing. □ [V P n] The moment she was out of sight she broke into a run. □ [V P n] Then, breaking into a smile, he said, 'I brought you something.'

3 PHRASAL VERB If you break into a profession or area of business, especially one that is difficult to succeed in, you manage to have some success in it. □ [V P n] She finally broke into films after an acclaimed stage career.

▸  break off

1 PHRASAL VERB If part of something breaks off or if you break it off , it comes off or is removed by force. □ [V P ] The two wings of the aircraft broke off on impact. □ [V P n] Grace broke off a large piece of the clay. □ [V n P n] They've torn down wooden fences and broken branches off trees. [Also V n P ]