Break down

Separate (substances) into constituent elements or parts

Lose control of one's emotions

Make ineffective

Synonyms

Crush

Derivation

Breakdown

Examples

Martin Luther King tried to break down racial discrimination

Stop operating or functioning

Collapse due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack

Fall apart

Make a mathematical, chemical, or grammatical analysis of; break down into components or essential features

Cause to fall or collapse