Melt down
verb
To lose control emotionally.
She had a complete melt down when she realized she had lost her keys.
Often appears as...
- have a melt down
- complete melt down
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To heat something solid until it becomes liquid.
They had to melt down the chocolate before adding it to the batter.
Often appears as...
- melt down gold
- melt down plastic
verb
To break down and dismantle (a nuclear reactor) when it is no longer in use.
Once the nuclear plant was decommissioned, they had to melt it down.
Often appears as...
- melt down reactor
- melt down plant
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To lose control emotionally.
She had a complete melt down when she realized she had lost her keys.
Often appears as...
- have a melt down
- complete melt down
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
verb
To heat something solid until it becomes liquid.
They had to melt down the chocolate before adding it to the batter.
Often appears as...
- melt down gold
- melt down plastic
verb
To break down and dismantle (a nuclear reactor) when it is no longer in use.
Once the nuclear plant was decommissioned, they had to melt it down.
Often appears as...
- melt down reactor
- melt down plant
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Outburst
Refers to a person being unable to manage their emotions, usually in response to overwhelming stress.
After failing her exam, Jamie had a melt down in front of the whole class.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Usage
Mostly used in casual conversation, not in formal settings.
When her favorite character died in the show, she had a melt down.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Does not mean a physical meltdown, but a sudden and intense emotional reaction.
He's on the verge of a melt down with all the work stress.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Outburst
Refers to a person being unable to manage their emotions, usually in response to overwhelming stress.
After failing her exam, Jamie had a melt down in front of the whole class.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Usage
Mostly used in casual conversation, not in formal settings.
When her favorite character died in the show, she had a melt down.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Does not mean a physical meltdown, but a sudden and intense emotional reaction.
He's on the verge of a melt down with all the work stress.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Outburst
Refers to a person being unable to manage their emotions, usually in response to overwhelming stress.
After failing her exam, Jamie had a melt down in front of the whole class.
Pro Tip 2/3Informal Usage
Mostly used in casual conversation, not in formal settings.
When her favorite character died in the show, she had a melt down.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Does not mean a physical meltdown, but a sudden and intense emotional reaction.
He's on the verge of a melt down with all the work stress.
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