break something down—
1. destroy smth. by reducing to pieces:
- The old cars were broken down for their metal and parts.
2. cause smth. to be defeated; overcome smth.:
- The police tried to break down the prisoner’s opposition.
3. cause matter to undergo chemical change:
- Chemicals in the body break down our food into useful substances.
4. separate smth. into parts; refer smth. to different categories:
- The figures must be broken down into several lists.
break something up—
1. (of ice, etc.) cleave smth. into smaller pieces:
- Enviro Disposal Service can break up old concrete driveways, then haul away the debris.
2. disband an organization, etc.; cause smth. to cease:
- The king’s death at once broke up the unity of the Court.