After threats of torture, they broke the spy down.
•They broke down the agent by threatening violence.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
break — ► VERB (past broke; past part. broken) 1) separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain. 2) make or become inoperative; stop working. 3) interrupt (a continuity, sequence, or course). 4) fail to observe (a law, regulation, or… … English terms dictionary
break down someone — break down (someone) 1. to cause someone to become emotional. Andy broke down and cried several times during his retirement speech. 2. to weaken someone. I felt so good, I felt like nothing could break me down or make me sick … New idioms dictionary
break — [brāk] vt. broke, broken, breaking [ME breken < OE brecan < IE base * bhreg > BREACH, BREECH, Ger brechen, L frangere] 1. to cause to come apart by force; split or crack sharply into pieces; smash; burst 2. a) … English World dictionary
break down — (someone) 1. to cause someone to become emotional. Andy broke down and cried several times during his retirement speech. 2. to weaken someone. I felt so good, I felt like nothing could break me down or make me sick … New idioms dictionary
break — break1 [ breık ] (past tense broke [ brouk ] ; past participle broken [ broukən ] ) verb *** ▸ 1 separate into pieces ▸ 2 fail to obey rules ▸ 3 make a hole/cut ▸ 4 destroy someone s confidence ▸ 5 when people learn news ▸ 6 stop for a short time … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
break — [c]/breɪk / (say brayk) verb (broke or, Archaic, brake, broken or, Archaic, broke, breaking) – …
break*/*/*/ — [breɪk] (past tense broke [brəʊk] ; past participle broken [ˈbrəʊkən] ) verb I 1) [I/T] if something breaks, or if you break it, it separates into two or more pieces when it is hit, dropped etc I broke two dishes this morning.[/ex] Joey broke… … Dictionary for writing and speaking English
break — A sudden price move; prices may break up or down. The CENTER ONLINE Futures Glossary A rapid and sharp price decline. Related: crash. Bloomberg Financial Dictionary * * * ▪ I. break break 1 [breɪk] verb broke PASTTENSE [brəʊk ǁ broʊk] … Financial and business terms
Break — A rapid and sharp price decline. The New York Times Financial Glossary * * * ▪ I. break break 1 [breɪk] verb broke PASTTENSE [brəʊk ǁ broʊk] broken PASTPART [ˈbrəʊkən ǁ … Financial and business terms
break */*/*/ — I UK [breɪk] / US verb Word forms break : present tense I/you/we/they break he/she/it breaks present participle breaking past tense broke UK [brəʊk] / US [broʊk] past participle broken UK [ˈbrəʊkən] / US [ˈbroʊkən] 1) [transitive] to make… … English dictionary
break — [[t]bre͟ɪk[/t]] ♦ breaks, breaking, broke, broken 1) V ERG When an object breaks or when you break it, it suddenly separates into two or more pieces, often because it has been hit or dropped. [V n] He fell through the window, breaking the glass … English dictionary
