Break down


Senior Member
I was wondering how break down is used in the meaning when something such as a relationship or discussion stops being successful

For example.
Can it be used to say that the relationship between the friends is getting worse or is it used in a more formal way such as relationships between countries
1) Their friendship is breaking down due to a lot of conflicts they've had recently
2) The relationship between countries started breaking down due to some conflicts.

And is this sentence correct
The discussion/meeting broke down due to adverse weather conditions

Thanks in advance.
  • lingobingo

    Senior Member
    English - England
    None of those made-up examples ring true. I think in the main we say that something has broken down after it’s happened, and we’re more likely to talk about the breakdown (noun) of a marriage/relationship, or of talks between countries, etc., than to use break down as a verb in this respect.
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