Break Down vs Break Up: What's the Difference?

Break down' and 'break up' are two phrasal verbs that learners often confuse, but they describe very different situations. In this video, you will learn their meanings with clear examples. 'Break down' means to stop working, usually for machines and vehicles. For example: My car broke down on the way to work. It also means to become very emotional and start crying: She broke down when she heard the news. In business, 'break down' can also mean to divide information into smaller parts, as in Let me break down the costs. 'Break up' means to end a romantic relationship. For example: They broke up after two years together. It can also mean that a group or event separates or ends: The meeting broke up at 5 p.m. Notice that we say 'break up with someone': She broke up with her boyfriend. Here is the easy rule to remember: machines break down, couples break up. Getting this right is important because using the wrong one can confuse your listener. Watch the video, repeat each example, and try making your own sentences about a car, a relationship and a meeting.