cab broke down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cab broke down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a taxi or cab has become inoperable or malfunctioned. Example: "I was late to the meeting because my cab broke down on the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A visiting taxi driver recalled how five years earlier he had been detained and questioned for an hour after his cab broke down outside the high thick walls.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

She said that he was so dedicated to his job that when his car broke down, he paid $50 in cab fare to be able to make it in on time.

The Washington Post

By E. B. White The New Yorker, August 1 , 1931 P. 7Hose cart broke down on way to a fire, firemen pushed it to the curb and commandeered a cab.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, August 1 , 1931 P. 7Hose cart broke down on way to a fire, firemen pushed it to the curb and commandeered a cab.

The New Yorker

He often earns less than $100 a day, he said; if his cab breaks down, or he can't find passengers, he may end up in the red.

The New York Times

Will Kate's car break down?

BBC

She eventually broke down.

The New York Times

Things broke down quickly.

The Economist

The cooperation broke down.

The New York Times

"But Ishwar broke down".

The New York Times

"I just broke down".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing transportation issues, use specific details about why the "cab broke down" to provide clarity. For example, "The cab broke down due to a flat tire" or "The cab broke down because of engine failure".

Common error

Avoid vague statements about the "cab breaking down" without providing context. Saying "The cab broke down, so I was late" is less effective than specifying where and why it happened.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cab broke down" functions as a declarative statement describing a vehicle malfunction. Ludwig examples confirm its use in news and general contexts to convey a disruption in transportation. Its primary grammatical function is to express a past event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cab broke down" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood expression used to describe a taxi's malfunction. While Ludwig indicates that the phrase is relatively rare, it is suitable for neutral contexts such as news reports or everyday conversations. Alternative phrases, such as "taxi malfunctioned" or "taxi stopped working", can be used depending on the desired level of formality. The key is to provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity and clearly communicate the reason for any related disruptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Taxi malfunctioned

Replaces "broke down" with a more formal term for vehicle failure.

Taxi suffered a breakdown

Uses "breakdown" as a noun to describe the event.

Taxi had a mechanical failure

More technical description of the cab's problem.

Taxi stopped working

Simple and direct way to state the cab is out of service.

Cab experienced engine trouble

Specifies the type of problem the cab had.

Taxi became inoperable

A more formal way of saying the taxi cannot be used.

Cab failed

Short and impactful way of saying the cab stopped functioning.

Taxi became disabled

Describes the taxi's condition after the malfunction.

Cab quit running

Informal way of saying the cab stopped working.

Cab ceased to operate

Formal way of saying the cab stopped working.

FAQs

What does it mean when a cab "breaks down"?

When a cab "breaks down", it means that the vehicle has stopped functioning, usually due to a mechanical failure. This can cause delays or require finding an alternative transportation method.

How can I report a cab that "suffered a breakdown"?

Reporting a cab that suffered a breakdown typically involves contacting the taxi company or the local transportation authority. Provide the cab's identification number and details about the incident.

What should I do if my cab "becomes inoperable" during a ride?

If your cab becomes inoperable during a ride, ensure your safety first. Then, contact the driver's company to arrange for another cab or alternative transportation. Note the cab number and location.

What are some alternative ways to say a "cab broke down"?

Alternatives include "the cab "malfunctioned"", "the cab "experienced mechanical failure"", or simply "the cab "stopped working"".