she broke down

USAGE SUMMARY

"she broke down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a person who is emotionally overcome, for example: When she found out her mother had cancer, she broke down and cried.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Eventually she broke down in tears.

The Guardian - Opinion

She broke down in tears.

The Guardian

And then she broke down again.

The Guardian - Music

At one point, she broke down sobbing.

The New York Times

She broke down and had to be euthanized.

The New York Times - Sports

She broke down and had to be taken home.

The Guardian - Film

But at one point she broke down in tears.

The New York Times

But she broke down and applied in November.

The New York Times

She broke down, and admitted she needed help.

Independent

When I confronted Brandi, she broke down immediately.

The New Yorker

"She broke down and started crying," Drake recalled.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she broke down" to vividly depict a moment of emotional collapse or sudden failure, but consider the context to ensure it's the most appropriate and sensitive phrasing. Overuse can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "she broke down" when the reason for the emotional distress is unclear. Ensure the context provides sufficient information about the events or circumstances leading to the breakdown.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she broke down" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily serving as a verb phrase. It depicts a sudden loss of emotional control or the cessation of normal functioning, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she broke down" is a common and generally acceptable idiomatic expression used to describe a sudden loss of emotional control or a failure to function, according to Ludwig. While versatile, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When writing, it is important to ensure that the context clearly indicates the cause of the breakdown. Related phrases include "she fell apart" and "she became overwhelmed". The frequency of this expression in authoritative sources underscores its validity in contemporary English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she burst into tears

Highlights the sudden onset of crying due to overwhelming emotion.

she fell apart

A more figurative expression suggesting a complete disintegration of emotional stability.

she reached her breaking point

Focuses on the limit of endurance being exceeded, leading to a collapse.

she collapsed emotionally

Uses the verb "collapsed" to emphasize the sudden loss of emotional strength.

she became overwhelmed

Focuses on the feeling of being unable to cope, shifting the emphasis from the breakdown itself to the preceding emotional state.

she was overcome with emotion

Shifts the focus to the intense feeling that caused the breakdown.

she succumbed to tears

Highlights the act of crying as a result of overwhelming emotion.

she lost control

Highlights the loss of composure, suggesting a sudden inability to manage emotions or actions.

she gave way to despair

Emphasizes the feeling of hopelessness and loss of courage.

she couldn't handle it

Emphasizes the inability to cope with a situation, focusing on the lack of resilience.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "she broke down"?

When someone says "she broke down", it typically means she became overwhelmed with emotion, often to the point of crying or being unable to function normally. It suggests a sudden collapse of emotional control.

What are some alternative phrases for "she broke down"?

You can use alternatives like "she fell apart", "she became overwhelmed", or "she lost control" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "she broke down" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "she broke down" might be considered too informal for highly formal or academic writing. In such contexts, consider using more restrained language like "she became emotionally distressed" or "she experienced a moment of emotional collapse".

How can I use "she broke down" in a sentence?

You can use "she broke down" to describe someone experiencing intense emotional distress: "When she heard the news, "she broke down" and couldn't stop crying." or to describe equipment that is not working: "The old car coughed and sputtered before "she broke down" completely".