h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Is there even a difference? If so, when would you say breakup, and when would you say breakdown? And no, I'm not going through one right now.

I would use break up to describe a relationship disintegration, and breakdown to describe an emotional disintegration.

Deb

Break-up, what the signal for my radio does - break-down, what my car does.

PP.

Break up is into parts which are equally heterogeneous. Break down is into parts which are less heterogeneous than the whole was originally.

Break Up indicates that the whole has been split into parts...
Break Down indicates it has stopped working.

eg's
My car broke down too often so I sold it to the scrap man to break up.

Their marriage had a break down which resulted in a family break up.

'Break down' can also mean 'to disassemble', as to break down a rifle into its parts.

'Break up' can mean to suffer physical destruction, as a ship breaking up on the rocks on a shoreline, or a spacecraft breaking up on reentry.

'Break up' can also mean to terminate a social interaction.

"'Break down' can also mean 'to disassemble', as to break down a rifle into its parts.

'Break up' can mean to suffer physical destruction, as a ship breaking up on the rocks on a shoreline,"

[ITIWBS]

The differences between those seem awfully subtle to me. A ship crashing on the rocks is getting disassembled in a way.

There are many similar questions to ask, regarding e.g. pack up/ pack down, tied up/tied down etc.

An alarm goes off when it really goes on.

Have a breakdown, you'll need an engineer.

Have a breakup, you'll need a lawyer.

Break-in, you'll need a policeman
Break out, you'll need a doctor.

Have a breakdown, you'll need a shrink.
Have a breakup, you'll need a lawyer.
Take one look at the lawyer's bill, and you'll have another breakdown.

Interesting thing about "break down" and "break something down". (Or, in grammar speak, there is an interesting differentiation between the transitive and intransitive use of the verb).

Intransitive:
I break down --> I become less functional, I experience a crisis, I cannot continue doing what I have been doing so far.
Example: Look at Suzy, she seems on the verge of breaking down. She needs a rest. (Or... she needs a break)

Transitive:
I break something down --> I take it apart, I deconstruct it.
Example: You don't understand the Greek financial crisis? Let me break it down for you: they are broke and need help.


Breaking UP, in my (non-native) understanding, alwazs has the implication of "ending" something.

"What's the differemnce between brfeakup and breakdwn"?

One's got an extra letter, the other is missing a letter? Is this a trick question?

Yes.

It is a trick question.

I was trying to see how many typos would get in there without my noticing.