take apart

verb

1. to separate (something) into component parts

2. to criticize or punish severely

   the reviewers took the new play apart

Idioms and Phrases

Dismantle or disassemble, as in They had to take apart the stereo before they could move it . This usage was first recorded in 1936.

Examine thoroughly, analyze or dissect, as in The teacher embarrassed Tom by taking his thesis apart in front of the class . [Mid-1900s]

Beat up, thrash, as in You'd better be careful; those boys will take you apart . [ Slang ; mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

“It wasn’t common practice for studios or archives to hold onto objects. A lot of costumes and props would get reused, recycled, taken apart.”

From Los Angeles Times

After more than four decades of delay, the first such submarine, Swiftsure, has had its reactor removed and is currently being taken apart in a dry dock.

From BBC

“Two words,” says Tony, observing Ziva take apart a thug endangering her daughter.

From Los Angeles Times

"It'll end when Hamas is totally defeated and the whole infrastructure is totally taken apart. If you leave it now, they'll rebuild everything and the situation will come back in another three or four years."

From BBC

The group, she says, has caused fires, damaged the roof and taken apart air-conditioning units for parts, all of which she’s had to repair or replace, costing her nearly $100,000.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• batter 
• decimate 
• demolish 
• destroy 
• devastate 
• impair 
• injure 
• mangle 
• mar 
• ravage 
• raze 
• ruin 
• sabotage 
• shatter 
• sink 
• smash 
• spoil 
• torpedo 
• trash 
• undermine