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a disastrous failure or collapse of a system, plan, or situation
the accident in which the core of a nuclear reactor fails to operate and the fuel melts the container releasing an alarming level of radiation
an emotional breakdown caused by stress, fear, or overwhelming pressure
What does "meltdown" mean in emotional slang?
The term "meltdown" means an emotional breakdown caused by stress, fear, or overwhelming pressure, often resulting in loss of control such as crying, yelling, or panic. The structure is a metaphor borrowed from physical systems overheating and collapsing, extended to describe human emotional overload. It is informal slang commonly used in everyday speech, workplace contexts, and online discussions to describe severe emotional distress or breakdowns in composure.
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