SYNONYMS
broken
out of order ♦ broken-down ♦ on the blink
All these words describe sth that is damaged or no longer working
correctly.
ml # m
broken that has been damaged or injured; no longer whole or working correctly
fgMLMs $5$£M, 7if 5c!IM, Hi 7%^M: a broken window/plate M
/ #7 o a broken leg/arm Hr 7MM / ff out of order [not before noun] (rather formal) (of a machine, etc.) not working correctly fg ($$$# )
& HiAltSL The toilets are all out of order.
broken-down [usually before noun] in a very bad condition; not working correctly;
very tired and sick
MTOmUM. HiMM. mm-, a broken-down old
car/horse Hi
77#tM IS7; ^&M H on the blink {informal) (of a machine) not working correctly jg ( Iff# ) Hife^: The fuel
gauge had gone on the blink. Mif Hi 7#TfL
OUT
OF ORDER OR ON THE BLINK? $ out of order on the blink ?
Out
of order is a slightly formal phrase, used especially about machines and
equipment that are available for the public to use; you would be less likely to
use it about your own phone, television, etc. * out of order &^M*
PATTERNS
AND COLLOCATIONS
■
The TV/video/washing machine is broken/on the blink.
■
The phone is out of order/on
the blink.
broken On /'braukan; NAmE 'brou-/ adj.
►
DAMAGED 1 that has been
damaged or injured; no longer whole or working correctly fj&M M; $j£IM; $$
M;
Hi 7 M: a broken window/plate M 7 o a broken leg/arm Hr 7 M M /
If 0 pieces of broken glass 0 How did
this dish get broken?
o The TVs broken.
7 o — see
also broken heart
►
RELATIONSHIP ^ % 2 [usually before noun] ended or
destroyed 7 it 7 M; 7 M: a
broken marriage/
engagement S M J© $0 ; H II&
7 M M — see also
BROKEN HOME
►
PROMISE/AGREEMENT ; [usually
before noun]
not kept ®j§#M; 7®frM
►
NOT CONTINUOUS ^ & P/ 4 [usually before noun] not continuous; disturbed or interrupted 7
3S H M ; |b] Hr
M; MTffcM: a night of broken
sleep 0il#7Sf
^M—
0
a single broken white line across the road ft ^ 5, jj&
M
►
PERSON K 5 [only before noun] made weak and tired by
illness or difficulties
|£jj§M; M: He was a
broken man after the failure
of his business.
LANGUAGE if a 6 [only before noun] (of a language that is not your own # # i|f) spoken slowly and with a lot of