break down in / into tears

kohyoongliat · #1 (**permalink**) 25-Feb-2007, 10:49

Dear Teacher

Some of my friends break down in / into tears.

Which preposition should be used?

Thank you very much.

**Anglika** · #2 (**permalink**) 25-Feb-2007, 12:04

Some of my friends break down in / into tears

in tears would be the more usual idiom:

Some of my friends break down.
How do they break down?
They break down {in tears}

kohyoongliat · #3 (**permalink**) 25-Feb-2007, 13:04

Many thanks, Anglika.

**BobK** · #4 (**permalink**) 25-Feb-2007, 15:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by kohyoongliat

Dear Teacher

Some of my friends break down in / into tears.

Which preposition should be used?

Thank you very much.

Anglika's right of course. I think the 'into' may come from another idiom - 'burst into tears'.

b

kohyoongliat · #5 (**permalink**) 25-Feb-2007, 17:27

I agree. "Burst into tears", but "Break down in tears".

Thanks for the reply.


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