Complete the following sentence with the correct phrasal verb given below -
It had been a complete _____ of intelligence that had led to this whole mess.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → break down
A phrasal verb is a verb joined with a small word such as up, out or together. The two words together have a new meaning.
"A complete breakdown of intelligence" means a total failure of the intelligence (information-gathering) system, which led to the mess.
Complete sentence: It had been a complete breakdown of intelligence that had led to this whole mess.
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) break out | to start suddenly (a war, a fire, a disease) or to escape. It does not mean failure. | A fire broke out in the factory at night. |
| (2) break over | Waves or a storm break over something when they crash down onto it. It is not used for the failure of a system. | Huge waves broke over the deck of the ship. |
| (3) break down (answer) | to stop working, to fail or collapse (a machine, talks, a system). Its noun is a breakdown: a failure or collapse. | Our car broke down on the highway. |
| (4) break off | to end something suddenly (talks, a relationship) or to separate a piece from something | The two countries broke off trade relations. |
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