fall apart

verb

1. to break owing to long use or poor construction

   the chassis is falling apart

2. to become disorganized and ineffective

   since you resigned, the office has fallen apart

Idioms and Phrases

Collapse, break down, either physically or mentally and emotionally. For example, This chair is about to fall apart , or After his wife died, he fell apart . For synonyms for the latter usage, see come apart at the seams ; go to pieces .

Example Sentences

Sam watches her fall apart, tear herself apart and is desperate.

From The Daily Beast

As India gained freedom, and matured into herself, the Imperial began to fall apart.

From The Daily Beast

Unsurprisingly, their lives immediately begin to fall apart under the scrutiny.

From The Daily Beast

Usually you say to yourself, Well, one of those will fall apart.

From The Daily Beast

They struggle, they love, they fall apart, they dominate, they're flawed.

From The Daily Beast

Martha laughed, and rolling the big, barrel-churn upon its side was more than delighted to see it fall apart, useless.

From Project Gutenberg

Cutting corners—the words began to fall apart, forming curious phrasings—little illuminated pieces of themselves.

From Project Gutenberg

The angle at which they walked made one of the clumps of tree before them seem to fall apart.

From Project Gutenberg

Experiences that to others are wholes, to the psychologist fall apart into their elements.

From Project Gutenberg

Cook in an uncovered vessel until tender enough to be easily pierced with a fork, but not so soft as to fall apart.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• break down
• collapse
• crumble