about one's ears
around one's ears
bring down about one's ears
bring down around one's ears
pull down about one's ears
pull down around one's ears
To or into complete collapse, defeat, or ruin; to the destruction of a person's plans, hopes, or happiness.
John hoped to go to college and become a great scientist some day, but when his father died he had to get a job, and John's dreams came crashing around his ears.
They planned to have factories all over the world but the war brought their plans down about their ears.
beat down
To crush or break the spirit of; win over; conquer.
All their defenses were beaten down by the tanks.
To try to get reduced; force down by discussing.
Can we beat down the price?
To persuade or force (someone) to accept a lower price or easier payments.
He tried to beat us down, so we did not sell the house.
To shine brightly or hotly.
At noon the sun beat down on our heads as we walked home.
break down
(stress on down) To smash or hit (something) so that it falls; cause to fall by force.
The firemen broke down the door.
To reduce or destroy the strength or effect of; weaken; win over.
Потерять самообладание; потерять выдержку.
Advertising breaks down a lot of stubbornness against change.
By helpful kindness the teacher broke down the new boy's shyness.
The girl broke down and started to cry.
Девочка не выдержала и разрыдалась.
To separate into elements or parts; decay.
After many years, rocks break down into dirt.
Water is readily broken down into hydrogen and oxygen.
To become unusable because of breakage or other failure; lose power to work or go.
I just bought my new car yesterday and already it has broken down.
The car broke down after half an hour's driving.
The elevator broke down, so we walked all the way up to the top floor.
When the coach was sick in bed, the training rules of the team broke down.