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to pieces

Idioms  
  1. Into fragments, disorganized, or confused, as in I tore his argument to pieces. This metaphoric term has been so used since about 1600. Also see go to pieces; pick apart (to pieces); thrill to pieces.


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.

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When researchers recently returned to pieces of rock that had not yet been fully prepared, they found four fossil bones still embedded in the surrounding material.

From Science Daily Aug. 15, 2026

"He's always thinking about the house. He keeps saying I should take him to see it," said the 27-year-old whose workplace, a carwash, also fell to pieces in the temblor.

From Barron's Aug. 14, 2026

But the house where he lived with his siblings and nephews was reduced to pieces by the quake.

From Barron's Aug. 11, 2026

"Your heart is blown to pieces but do you still need to eat dinner and go to work so I'm not stylistically chasing silence, just representing the truth of it."

From BBC Mar. 29, 2026

If they were reckless and tried to run the rapids, their wooden canoes would most likely capsize and get ripped to pieces.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple

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