Word: Come Apart
Definition:
"Come apart" is a verb phrase that means to separate into pieces or fragments. It is often used when something breaks or falls into smaller parts.
Usage Instructions:
You can use "come apart" when talking about objects that break or separate. It is often used in the past tense (came apart) or in the present (comes apart) to describe an action.
Examples: 1. The old book came apart when I tried to open it. 2. If you pull the toy too hard, it will come apart.
Advanced Usage:
In more advanced contexts, "come apart" can also refer to situations where someone becomes emotionally overwhelmed or loses control. For example: - After hearing the bad news, she started to come apart at the seams.
Word Variants:
- Come apart at the seams: This idiom means to break down or fall apart emotionally or physically, often due to stress. - Came apart: The past tense form.
Different Meanings:
While "come apart" primarily refers to physical separation, it can also imply a breakdown in relationships or situations, such as: - Their friendship has come apart over the years due to misunderstandings.
Synonyms:
- Break - Fall apart - Split - Disintegrate
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
- Fall apart: Similar to "come apart," it means to break into pieces or to lose control emotionally. - Break down: This can refer to a physical breakdown of an object or an emotional breakdown of a person.
Summary:
"Come apart" is a useful phrase to describe things that break into pieces or people who are emotionally overwhelmed.