come apart
Break into pieces
Come apart means to separate into pieces or components, either literally or figuratively.
Physical objects come apart when their parts detach or break: The cheap furniture came apart after a few months.
People or relationships come apart under stress, suggesting emotional breakdown or dissolution: She came apart after hearing the news.
The phrase often implies gradual deterioration rather than sudden destruction, and can describe anything from a machine to a plan to a person's composure.
Fragment violently, suddenly
- splinterThin sharp fragment
- fractureSplit in hard material
- crackNarrow break or attempt
- breakInterrupt continuity
chip · snap · tear · split · rupture · sever · fragment · flake
Fragment gradually
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- decomposeBreak into simpler parts
- erodeDiminish through persistent friction
- deteriorateGrow worse over time
rot · corrode · dissolve · fall to pieces · wither · degrade · break down · wear away
Fragment gradually
- buckleFrame-and-prong fastener
- give wayCollapse or relent
- cave inCollapse or yield
- implodeCollapse violently inward
topple · sag · yield · succumb · fail · break down · fold · tumble
State of being apart
- splitSeparation into parts
- divorceLegal end of matrimony
- estrangementEmotional separation between people
- riftCrack or estrangement
dissolution · parting · disunion · alienation · schism · disaffection · disconnection · disengagement
shatter
Fragment violently, suddenly
break · chip · snap · tear · split · rupture · sever · fragment · flake · crumble
crumble
Fragment gradually
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- decomposeBreak into simpler parts
- erodeDiminish through persistent friction
deteriorate · rot · corrode · dissolve · fall to pieces · wither · degrade · break down · wear away · oxidize
crumble
Fragment gradually
implode · topple · sag · yield · succumb · fail · break down · fold · tumble · structural failure
separation
State of being apart
- splitSeparation into parts
- divorceLegal end of matrimony
- estrangementEmotional separation between people
rift · dissolution · parting · disunion · alienation · schism · disaffection · disconnection · disengagement · farewell
dismantle
Separate into parts
unhook · unbolt · unclip · disengage · separate · deconstruct · strip down · dislocate · unhinge · unpin
- collapsecollapse, cave in, cave-in, fall in, give way
- failingfail, fails, collapse, flop, bomb
- surrendersurrender, surrenders, surrendering, I surrender, capitulate
- outburstsoutburst, burst, eruption, tantrum, meltdown
come aparthold together
Remain unified, not fragment
cohere · stick together · stay together · keep together · bond
come apartcome together
Gather into one group
assemble · join together · fit together · put together · unite
come aparthold it together
Maintain emotional stability
keep it together · pull oneself together · stay calm · stay cool · keep one's cool