fall apart
Lose structural integrity
To fall apart is to break into pieces or lose structural integrity: The old book fell apart in my hands.
Extended to people, it means to lose emotional composure: She fell apart when she heard the news.
Organizations, plans, and relationships fall apart when they fail or dissolve: Their marriage fell apart after ten years.
The deal fell apart at the last minute.
Sudden structural failure
- crumbleFragment gradually
- disintegrateBreak into fragments
- cave-inUnderground passage collapse
- toppleCause to fall
tumble · buckle · sag · give way · implode · founder · capsize · overturn
Organic breakdown process
- decomposeBreak into simpler parts
- deteriorateGrow worse over time
- corrodeDestroy through chemical action
- rustIron oxide coating
molder · perish · spoil · fester · wither · erode · degrade · tarnish
Fragment violently, suddenly
- splinterThin sharp fragment
- fractureSplit in hard material
- crackNarrow break or attempt
- breakInterrupt continuity
split · scatter · disperse · disassemble · unravel · fray · tatter · rip
collapse
Sudden structural failure
- crumbleFragment gradually
- disintegrateBreak into fragments
- cave-inUnderground passage collapse
topple · tumble · buckle · sag · give way · implode · founder · capsize · overturn · subsidence
rot
Organic breakdown process
- decomposeBreak into simpler parts
- deteriorateGrow worse over time
- corrodeDestroy through chemical action
rust · molder · perish · spoil · fester · wither · erode · degrade · tarnish · oxidize
shatter
Fragment violently, suddenly
break · split · scatter · disperse · disassemble · unravel · fray · tatter · rip · tear
meltdown
Catastrophic loss of control
unravel · shattered · distress · anguish · turmoil · despair · hopelessness · burnout · exhaustion · panic
flop
Complete commercial failure
fiasco · debacle · botch · bungle · blunder · miscarry · backfire · unravel · derail · implode
- collapsecollapse, cave in, cave-in, give way, crumble
- deterioratedecay, rot, deteriorate, decompose, corrode
- phrasal verbspick up, look at, put down, turn on, turn off
- constructionconstruction site, building site, hammer, building, beam
- chaosmayhem, chaotic, pandemonium, bedlam, turmoil
- financial ruinbankrupt, bankruptcy, bust, busted, broke
fall aparthold together
Remain unified, not fragment
stay together · cohere · hold up · stick together · endure
fall aparthold it together
Maintain emotional stability
keep it together · stay strong · pull oneself together · hold oneself together · hold up
fall aparthold together
Remain unified, not fragment
come together · work out · stay together · succeed · flourish
fall, apart, fell, fallen, falling, falls, befall, apartheid, falling apart