Learn English – What does “break it down” mean (slang) in Meghan Trainor’s “I’m a Lady”

lyricsmeaning-in-contextslang

I heard a song that said something about "breaking it down". I looked it up, and it was Meghan Trainor's "I'm A Lady". The lyric goes

When I break it down, it's a work of art.

What does it mean in that context?

Best Answer

I propose two possible interpretations.

Here's a larger portion of the lyrics.

And I'm pretty, pretty cute and I'm pretty smart
And when I break it down, it's a work of art
And if you feel the same, can you participate?
I wanna see you shake, I wanna hear you say
And I'm pretty, pretty cute and I'm pretty smart
And when I break it down, it's a work of art
And if you feel the same, can you participate?
I wanna see you shake, I wanna hear you say
(Direct Lyrics)

One basic interpretation is as follows.

break something down
to discuss the details of something by examining its subparts.
Let's break this problem down into its parts and deal with each one separately.
Breaking down complex problems into their components is almost fun.
Let's break this issue down and discuss it.
(The Free Dictionary)

Notice that she's analyzing herself in the lyrics and she concludes that her traits are a work of art.

Another meaning of break it down is to dance, especially, energetic, loose, freestyle dancing. Here is an example: Ellen and Michelle Obama Break It Down.

So, another interpretation is when she breaks it down (= dances), it's a work of art.

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