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