melt down

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Definition
  1. Verb (transitive and intransitive):
    • To change or cause something to change from a solid to a liquid state, typically through the application of heat. This is the primary, literal meaning.
    • (Figuratively) To undergo a sudden, complete, and often disastrous failure or collapse. This meaning is frequently used in financial, technical, or emotional contexts.
Usage and Examples

  • Literal Meaning (Physical State Change):

    • The intense heat of the furnace will melt down the scrap metal. (Here, 'melt down' is a transitive verb with an object.)
    • During the heatwave, the asphalt on the road began to melt down. (Here, 'melt down' is an intransitive verb.)
    • The company specializes in melting down old jewelry to recover precious metals.

  • Figurative Meaning (Collapse or Failure):

    • The stock market experienced a severe melt down after the news broke.
    • The nuclear reactor's core suffered a partial melt down. (This is a specific technical term.)
    • After hours of stressful negotiation, he had a complete emotional melt down in the office.
Advanced Usage and Notes

  • "Meltdown" as a Noun: The phrasal verb 'melt down' is commonly nominalized as the single word "meltdown". This noun form is standard for both literal and figurative uses.

    • The financial meltdown of 2008 affected the global economy. (Figurative - economic collapse)
    • Preventing a core meltdown is the top priority in nuclear safety. (Literal/Technical - nuclear reactor failure)
    • The toddler had a meltdown in the supermarket. (Figurative - emotional outburst)

  • Separability: The phrasal verb can often be separated by its object.

    • Correct: They need to melt the old statues down.
    • Also Correct: They need to melt down the old statues.
Variants and Related Words
  • Melt (verb): The core verb, meaning to become or make something liquid through heat. 'Melt down' often implies a more complete, intentional, or industrial process.
  • Melting (noun/adj): The process of melting; capable of melting.
  • Molten (adj): Describes a metal or rock that has been melted and is in a liquid state (e.g., ).
Synonyms
  • Literal: Liquefy, fuse, thaw (for ice), dissolve (for some solids in liquid).
  • Figurative: Collapse, crash, fail, break down.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Melt away: To disappear or dissolve gradually.
    • The crowd began to melt away after the concert ended.
    • Her anger melted away when she heard his apology.
Idioms and Fixed Phrases
  • Nuclear meltdown: The severe overheating of a nuclear reactor's core, leading to the melting of fuel rods. This is the origin of the figurative use for any catastrophic failure.
  • Have a meltdown: To lose emotional control completely; to have an outburst of anger, frustration, or tears.
    • I'm so stressed with this project, I'm about to have a meltdown.
Verb
  1. reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating
    • melt butter
    • melt down gold
    • The wax melted in the sun

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