fall apart

British  

verb

1. to break owing to long use or poor construction

   the chassis is falling apart

2. to become disorganized and ineffective

   since you resigned, the office has fallen apart

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fall apart Idioms  

1. Collapse, break down, either physically or mentally and emotionally. For example, This chair is about to fall apart, or After his wife died, he fell apart. For synonyms for the latter usage, see come apart at the seams; go to pieces.

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Example Sentences

It's one option presented by the team working on the long-delayed restoration of the historic building, which is falling apart and costs £1.5m a week to maintain.

From BBC

Doubts had swirled about the fate of the negotiations after a report earlier Wednesday that the talks between the bitter foes were falling apart due to disagreements about the format and the venue.

From Barron's

If this arrangement fell apart after the first year, I could probably secure another job, although it would not be at my current income level.

From MarketWatch

Later, when my friendship with Leo fell apart, Dad told me I had to keep flying into the wind.

From Literature

Prosecutions of anti-ICE protesters have repeatedly fallen apart under judicial scrutiny.

From Salon

Related Words

• break down
• collapse
• crumble