come apart
The phrase "come apart" can describe both physical disintegration and emotional breakdowns, commonly used in everyday language.
Definition
B1General
(informal)To break into pieces or separate into parts.
Example
- The old book came apart in my hands.
B2General
(informal)To fail or collapse, often suddenly or completely.
Example
- Their business came apart after the financial crisis.
B2Emotional
(informal)To become emotionally or mentally unstable.
Example
- She came apart after hearing the bad news.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "come apart":
fall aparttake aparttear apartpull apartgo to piecescome undoneblow apartfall to piecesbreak downfall togethercome offtear awaycome awaysplit uppick apartfall outto piecesbreak upbreak awaytear upcome a cropperfall awayfall offpiece outtear offpart wayscrack upfalling outpull awaypart companybreak offtear atcome togethercome outgo their separate wayssunder outbroke offpeel awayfall throughpull offcome downbroken downpiece togetherbreak outrip intorip uprip outtear downtore up