to separate, or to separate something, into smaller parts
Can you break down our expenses by month and by region?
The data breaks down into three main categories.
Her old car was unreliable, so the trip was plagued by breakdowns.
Her car broke down on the way to the airport, causing her to miss her flight.
During the presentation, the speaker used visual aids to help break down complex concepts into simple, understandable parts.
After hours of negotiation, they were finally able to break down the barriers to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
