Phrasal verb
fall apart
Meanings
To break into pieces or become loose and ruined.
To stop working or fail because important parts are missing or not working together.
To lose emotional control and become very upset.
Definition
To fall apart means to break into pieces or to stop working or functioning properly.
When something falls apart, it breaks into pieces because it is weak, old, or badly made. It can also mean a plan, relationship, or organization stops working because problems make it fail. People also use it to describe someone losing emotional control under stress. The meaning is usually clear from the context.
Examples
- My old backpack started to fall apart at the seams during the hike.
- She felt herself fall apart when she heard the bad news.
- Our schedule will fall apart if the train is delayed again.
- Their friendship began to fall apart after months of misunderstandings.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "falling apart" for a single quick break; use "break" or "break apart" if it happens suddenly and physically in one moment.
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.