Definition

Noun: 1. A sudden mental or physical collapse; a breakdown: A state where someone can no longer function normally due to extreme stress, exhaustion, or emotional strain. 2. A sudden failure or collapse of something: Can refer to the failure of a system, plan, or vehicle.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Mental/Physical Breakdown):
  • The constant pressure at work led to his eventual crack-up.
  • After the accident, she suffered a complete crack-up and needed time to recover.
• Noun (Sudden Failure):
  • The crack-up of the negotiations was a disappointment to everyone involved.
  • Investigators are studying the crack-up of the aircraft.

Advanced Usage

• "to have a crack-up": To experience a mental or physical breakdown.
  • He's working so hard I'm worried he's going to have a crack-up.
• As a verb phrase ("crack up"): While the noun is "crack-up," the related verb is often written as two words. It can mean:
  • To suffer a mental breakdown.

    • She cracked up under the pressure.
  • To laugh uncontrollably.

    • The audience cracked up at the comedian's joke.
  • To damage or break something, especially a vehicle.

    • He cracked up his new car.

Variants and Related Words

• Breakdown (n.): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "crack-up" for both mental collapse and mechanical failure.
• Collapse (n.): A sudden failure or loss of strength.
• Nervous breakdown (n.): A common term for a severe mental or emotional collapse.

Synonyms

• Breakdown
• Collapse
• Meltdown
• Failure

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Crack up (v.): As detailed in the "Advanced Usage" section, this is the verb form related to the noun "crack-up." Its meanings include to have a mental breakdown, to laugh hysterically, or to crash a vehicle.

Related Idioms

• To be cracking up: To be on the verge of a mental breakdown or to be acting strangely.
  • I think I'm cracking up; I just put the milk in the cupboard.
• It's not all it's cracked up to be: Something is not as good as people say it is.
  • Fame isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Noun

1. a mental or physical breakdown