Phrasal verb
come apart
Meanings
To break or separate into pieces; to stop holding together.
To stop working well or fail (for example, a plan, arrangement, or relationship).
To become very upset and lose emotional control.
Definition
To come apart means to separate into pieces or stop holding together.
When something comes apart, it breaks or separates into pieces because it is weak, damaged, or poorly joined. It can also describe a plan or relationship that stops working. In informal speech, it can mean a person becomes very upset and loses control of their emotions.
Examples
- My headphones started to come apart after I dropped them.
- Your sandwich will come apart if you squeeze it too hard.
- His plan came apart when the train was canceled.
- She came apart in the hallway after the argument.
- Their old sofa is coming apart at the seams.
Common mistake
Learners often say "come apart from" when they mean something breaks; usually you just say "come apart" (or "come apart at the seams").
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.