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Phrasal Verbs
Unit 4.2 -
"Down" meaning "Failing" or "Destroying"
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Break down
(inseparable) |
[Machines, vehicles,
etc.]
To stop working
>>His car
broke down on the way to
work.
>>The washing
machine has broken down
so I have to wash all our clothes by hand.
[A discussion, system,
or relationship] To fail because of a disagreement or problem
>>Talks between
the two countries broke down
when the two sides failed to reach an agreement.
>>One in three marriages in North America
breaks down and ends in
divorce. |
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Let down
(separable)
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To
disappoint someone
>>He is a
competent worker. He will never
let the company down. |
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Close down
(separable)
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[A
business or organization] To stop doing business
>>Many stores
close down during the New
Year holiday.
>>I don't understand why we can't keep the park and
close down that ugly
factory. |
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Step down
(inseparable) |
To
leave a job for someone else to take over
>>Due
to increasing pressure from his own company, Ron is to
step down as chairman of the
Board of Directors. |
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Turn down
(separable) |
To refuse an offer or request
>>She applied for the job at the university but she
was turned down. |
<Back to Module 4
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4.3> |
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