taking apart
Separating into pieces
Taking apart is disassembling something into its components: She spent the afternoon taking apart the old clock.
The phrase often implies methodical work—you take apart an engine to repair it, take apart a theory to examine its flaws.
To take someone apart is to defeat or criticize them thoroughly: The prosecutor took the witness apart on cross-examination.
Separate into parts
- dismantleSeparate into parts
- teardownDeliberate structure removal
- stripNarrow elongated piece
- unboltSlide a bar open
unfasten · detach · unscrew · unclip · unhinge · disengage · uncouple · disconnect
Study with attention
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
- dissectCut open to examine
- evaluateDetermine value or quality
- assessJudge worth or quality
investigate · study · inspect · review · explore · interpret · understand · explain
Judge unfavorably, vocally
- critiqueDetailed evaluative analysis
- rebutDisprove by argument
- challengeTest of ability
- debunkExpose as false
expose · fault · pick holes · question · attack · demolish · destroy · tear into
disassemble
Separate into parts
unbolt · unfasten · detach · unscrew · unclip · unhinge · disengage · uncouple · disconnect · remove
examine
Study with attention
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
- dissectCut open to examine
- evaluateDetermine value or quality
assess · investigate · study · inspect · review · explore · interpret · understand · explain · clarify
criticize
Judge unfavorably, vocally
debunk · expose · fault · pick holes · question · attack · demolish · destroy · tear into · dissect
anatomize
Examine in minute detail
- autopsyMedical examination after death
- vivisectionSurgery on living animals
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
incision · scalpel · cadaver · specimen · surgical · pathology · forensic · necropsy · histology · morgue
demolish
Destroy completely
smash · break · shatter · trash · gut · raze · tear down · pull down · vandalize · sabotage
- separatingseparating, detaching, disconnecting, dividing, splitting
- disassemblydismantling, teardown, detaching, unfastening, separating
- child curiositywonder, questions, why questions, exploration, imagination
- dissolutionbreakup, breakdown, liquidation, wind down, dismantling
taking apartputting together
Combining into a whole
assembling · building · constructing · piecing together · reassembling
taking apartpreserving
Protecting from deterioration
maintaining · holding together · protecting · conserving · safeguarding
taking apartbuilding up
Increasing gradually
praising · lauding · extolling · defending · championing
take, repair, apart, integrated, detachment, integrate, disintegration, integrating, reassembling