melt-down
/ˈmelt.daʊn/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A sudden emotional or mental breakdown, when someone cannot cope and may act badly or break down in tears. It can also mean a serious failure or collapse in a system, plan, or machine.
- He had a melt-down after the exam results.
- The whole system had a melt-down during the update.
- The child had a melt-down in the store.
Adinary Nuance
A melt-down is stronger than simple stress or upset. It suggests a sudden loss of control, not just bad mood or worry. Compared with a breakdown, it is often more informal and often used for children, adults, or systems that fail badly.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- khủng hoảng
- Spanish
- colapso
- Chinese
- 崩溃
- Japanese
- メルトダウン
- Korean
- 붕괴
Etymology
Melt-down is formed from the verb phrase melt down, which became a noun in modern English. It first referred to a collapse or failure, then later to emotional breakdowns.
Common phrases
have a melt-downemotional melt-downsystem melt-down
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is melt-down the same as breakdown?
- They are similar, but melt-down is often more informal and sudden. Breakdown can sound broader or more medical.
- Can I use melt-down for computers or systems?
- Yes. It can describe a serious failure in a system, website, or machine.
- Is melt-down common in spoken English?
- Yes, it is common in everyday speech, especially for emotions or failures.