take apart
Britishverb
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to separate (something) into component parts
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to criticize or punish severely
the reviewers took the new play apart
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Dismantle or disassemble, as in They had to take apart the stereo before they could move it . This usage was first recorded in 1936.
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Examine thoroughly, analyze or dissect, as in The teacher embarrassed Tom by taking his thesis apart in front of the class . [Mid-1900s]
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Beat up, thrash, as in You'd better be careful; those boys will take you apart . [ Slang ; mid-1900s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“So we tried to take apart those two risks,” he said—the biology risk and the technology risk.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
I was really into fashion and had this idea to rework vintage or take apart something old and make it new.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2024
If "Game of Thrones" fell into the same Madonna-Whore trap that Martin laid to take apart, "House of the Dragon" is much more careful in its depiction of Alys, who stays comfortably in her clothes.
From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2024
A crane has been used to take apart the unauthorised spa building at the home of Captain Sir Tom Moore's daughter.
From BBC ● Feb. 2, 2024
He could take apart an old watch and put it back together exactly as it had been.
From "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
