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to pieces

Idioms

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.

The Italian word “notturno,” Ms. Tomes acknowledges, had been applied to pieces of music from the 18th century, but these were usually “festive and extrovert.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

In contrast, Ireland's confidence looked shot to pieces and they were again found wanting against one of the sides against whom they like to measure themselves.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

Protesters pulled down a large flag of the Islamic Republic and tore it to pieces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

Maike Schoeneberg, a 33-year-old Berliner, said that "all the clubs that I knew when I came of age are closing. The club culture in Berlin seems like it's going to pieces."

From Barron's • Oct. 16, 2025

Jake tore the note to pieces and rolled the fragments between his sweating palms.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023