broken and broken down Do we use BROKEN DOWN with things like machines/devices, etc., and just BROKEN with non-mechanical/electronic things ? So, when a computer doesn't work - the only thing we can say is-it's broken DOWN ? (not just broken, if it's not smashed, etc) Whereas for a chair-we must say-It's broken (not broken down ) ? Or there's something else/more about break and break down ? Thanks !!!!!

free hosting and free offshore hosting I got a writing assignment on this topic -why is there free hosting but no free offshore hosting? (no further information provided) I have no idea what free offshore hosting is . Thanks for any help !

Do you have any juice ? What could the phrase -Do you have any juice- mean? It's from a Business English class, but I don't have it within some context that would indicate what it could mean , it's written on the vocabulary page in isolation. (the topic of the class is Meeting new people at work and talking about talented employees, so I guess It's something about that, but not sure what .) Thanks a lot !!!

What is the opposite of 'retail sales' ? If 'retail sales' refers to sales of goods to the public rather than to businesses, stores, etc., what would be the opposite of it? Thank you.

play THE violin vs play violin ?? I've heard both of these - play the violin/piano/ flute, and -play violin/piano/flute , without the article . Is this something that has to do with the British English/ American English distinction, or ..? Thank you .

informal for- announce/inform somebody about something I feel there's a phrasal verb which would mean -to announce something/ to inform somebody about something important, like in the sentences - 'So, when are you planning to ...... your parents that you're moving out soon? ' or "When will you ....to your boss that you're quitting? " what informal word/phrasal verb/expressions could we use in such sentences, to imply that what the speaker says will have a strong impact/maybe shock the other party? Thank you.

a big cheese and a fat cat Is there a difference in meaning between these two idioms ?- He's A BIG CHEESE. He's A FAT CAT. Thank you.

what does it mean- to obtain merit How could the sentence " Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Thailand is meant to obtain Buddhist merit." be paraphrased? I'm curious about the part "to obtain Buddhist merit " (an additional example where this phrase can be used would be much appreciated !) Thanks !

evidence The word 'evidence' is uncountable, so I can't say "-THESE ARE clear evidence of life on Mars", I must say " This is clear evidence of life on Mars" , even when I'm speaking about many pieces of evidence ?? Thank you !