fall apart
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle apart
Meanings
Break into separate pieces because something is broken
Why “apart”? A whole opens into separate pieces, or people move away from each other.
“The book fell apart in my hands.”
“The cheap suitcase fell apart at the airport.”
Become unable to cope emotionally
Why “apart”? When the joins fail, a system, relationship, or person falls into pieces.
“She fell apart after the news.”
“Omar fell apart during the interview.”
(of a relationship, plan or system) collapse
“Their marriage fell apart.”
“The travel plan fell apart when the train was cancelled.”
Don't confuse with
Fall apart means break into separate pieces because something is broken. Fall behind means fail to keep pace with others.
Test yourself
“The book fell apart in my hands.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
fall behind
A contrast learners often mix up
Fail to keep pace with others; Of an item, be left forgotten or detached from a group; Of a payment, become late or owed
come apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Break into pieces or stop holding together
drift apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Slowly become less close to someone
grow apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Gradually become less interested in each other
pull apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Separate two people or things by force
take apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Disassemble completely; Criticise harshly
tear apart
Same apart pattern: breakdown
Cause great unhappiness, especially in a group
fall away
Same base verb: fall
Decrease in number or amount
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