Phrasal verb
come apart
To come apart means to separate into pieces or stop holding together.
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
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.