fall apart

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

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

To the point where everything was on the verge of falling apart.

From Los Angeles Times

I could sort of see it happening where they have too many games and it just falls apart in the league - it nearly happened with Spurs and United last year too. 2-0.

From BBC

Swinney said: "I'll allow the Labour Party to fall apart as I lead the SNP to the success that we want to deliver for Scotland."

From BBC

They reconvened in New York and cut two more songs – Dodo and Can You Hear Me – but, by Lulu's account, Bowie was "getting lost in drugs" and their plans fell apart.

From BBC

“It really didn’t sell anything at all … We played a few concerts, and then the band fell apart.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• break down 
• collapse 
• crumble