break down in communication

Meanings

1. 1phrasephrasal verb

   to fail to exchange information or ideas successfully, so that problems develop.

   Grammar: Used with a plural or group subject: the two sides broke down in communication. The noun form is 'a breakdown in communication'.

   Patterns

   • break down in communication with someone
   • the two sides broke down in communication

   The two departments broke down in communication and missed the deadline.

   They broke down in communication after the argument and stopped speaking for weeks.

   If we break down in communication now, the project will fail.

2. 2phrasephrasal verb

   to stop being able to talk or work together because of misunderstanding or conflict.

   Grammar: Often used about teams, families, or countries; it focuses on the relationship, not just on messages.

   Patterns

   • break down in communication with each other
   • have broken down in communication

   The family broke down in communication after the will was read.

   Management and staff had broken down in communication long before the strike.

   The allies broke down in communication over the border issue.

Common combinations

a breakdown in communication

The delay was caused by a breakdown in communication between the two offices.

break down in communication with someone

We broke down in communication with our suppliers.

communication breaks down

Communication breaks down when people stop listening.

complete breakdown in communication

There was a complete breakdown in communication during the crisis.

Synonyms and how they differ

miscommunicate

This means to give or receive information wrongly; it is narrower and does not suggest a total failure of the relationship.

fall out

This means to quarrel and stop being friendly; it focuses on the personal argument, not on the failure to share information.

Opposites

Word family

breakdown noun

a failure of a system, relationship, or discussion.

communication noun

the sharing of information or ideas.

communicate verb

to share information or ideas with others.

Commonly confused: break down in communication or breakdown?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “break down in communication”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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