breaking down in tears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breaking down in tears" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a moment when someone becomes overwhelmed with emotion and starts to cry. Example: "After hearing the news, she couldn't hold back any longer and found herself breaking down in tears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He reported breaking down in tears.

University of California, Berkeley

Let's move," she said, breaking down in tears.

The Guardian

Another unidentified man is seen pointing to a framed portrait, then breaking down in tears.

The New York Times

"We couldn't prevent ourselves from breaking down in tears," he said.

Independent

"This man is going to be the death of me," Abedin said, breaking down in tears.

The Guardian

"I know one thing," Mr. Qaissi said yesterday, breaking down in tears when reached by telephone.

The New York Times

"That's exactly what we need," Roche said, breaking down in tears.

The Guardian

He confessed, breaking down in tears and expressing regret for the pain he had caused.

The Guardian

He lost in the Australian Open final to Rafael Nadal, famously breaking down in tears.

The New York Times - Sports

Afterwards, at a screening, he surprised himself by breaking down in tears.

The Guardian - Film

I feel it's a fair decision that the judge gave," before breaking down in tears.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms such as "bursting into tears" or "weeping uncontrollably" to add nuance or vary your writing.

Common error

While "breaking down in tears" is acceptable, overuse can diminish its emotional impact. Vary your language with alternatives like "moved to tears" or "overcome with emotion" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breaking down in tears" functions as a verb phrase describing a physical and emotional reaction to overwhelming feelings. Ludwig examples show its use in narratives to depict intense emotional distress or sadness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

13%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "breaking down in tears" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to depict a moment of overwhelming emotion, as verified by Ludwig AI. It's most frequently found in News & Media, though its applicability spans various contexts. While effective, it's important to consider synonyms like "bursting into tears" or "moved to tears" for stylistic variation. The phrase serves to express intense emotional distress and can be used in both formal and informal settings, albeit less commonly in strictly scientific or business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bursting into tears

Implies a sudden and intense onset of crying.

weeping uncontrollably

Highlights the lack of control over the crying.

sobbing deeply

Focuses on the sound and intensity of the crying.

dissolving into tears

Suggests a gradual surrender to crying, almost melting into a state of sadness.

overcome with emotion

Describes the state leading to tears, emphasizing the emotional overwhelm.

moved to tears

Highlights the cause of the tears, indicating a strong emotional impact.

tears welling up

Focuses on the physical sensation of tears forming before crying.

choking up

Describes the feeling of a lump in the throat, often preceding tears.

unable to hold back tears

Emphasizes the struggle to suppress crying.

losing emotional composure

Describes loss of control over one's emotions, resulting in tears.

FAQs

What does "breaking down in tears" mean?

It describes an instance where someone becomes overwhelmed by emotion, typically sadness or grief, and begins to cry uncontrollably.

How can I use "breaking down in tears" in a sentence?

You might say, "After hearing the devastating news, she ended up "breaking down in tears"."

What are some alternatives to "breaking down in tears"?

Consider using phrases like "bursting into tears", "weeping uncontrollably", or "moved to tears" for variety.

Is "breaking down in tears" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and situation.