Meaning trap
break down
explain in parts
To break something down means to explain it by dividing it into smaller, simpler parts.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To break something down means to explain it by dividing it into smaller, simpler parts.
Another meaning of 'break down' is 'stop working'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Let me break down the process so everyone understands.
In my presentation, I broke down the main points to make them clearer for the audience.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Let me break down it step by step.
Say: Let me break it down step by step.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'break it down'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Break down' is the everyday verb for explaining something part by part; 'disaggregate into constituent components' is jargon.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
break down + into parts
- the costs
- the steps
- the data
- it for me
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- break down (stop working) — Another meaning of 'break down' is 'stop working'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.