phrasal verb 'fall apart'
Phrasal verbMain meaning
fall apart
[fɔːl əˈpɑːt]
to break into pieces; disintegrate

Other meanings

  • to stop functioning or fail completely (plans, systems, teams)
  • to become very emotionally upset; lose self-control
  • (of relationships) to end; break up
  • to deteriorate physically; become shabby or worn out

Example Sentences Using the Phrasal Verb "fall apart"

  • The old book will fall apart if you open it.
  • Without funding, the project began to fall apart.
  • After the accident, he started to fall apart emotionally.
  • Their marriage fell apart after years of arguments.
  • My shoes are falling apart; I need a new pair.
  • The team fell apart in the second half.

Features of Using "fall apart"

Separability:Inseparable Transitivity:Intransitive Level:B1 Verb:fall Particle:apart

Intransitive only — you can’t say fall it apart. Frequently used figuratively with plans, organizations, relationships, and people. The progressive “is falling apart” highlights ongoing deterioration. Near-synonyms: “come apart” (neutral physical), “break down” (machines/emotions), “collapse” (systems).

Other phrasal verbs with the verb fall

fall off

fall off

to drop down from something
fall over

fall over

to lose balance and collapse to the ground
fall-down

fall down

to collapse or drop to the ground
fall-out

fall out

to stop being friends or in agreement
fall back

fall back

to retreat
fall in

fall in

to line up in formation
fall away

fall away

to gradually disappear or become less
fall behind

fall behind

to move slower than others or fail to keep up
fall on

fall on

to attack or begin to attack someone or something
fall for

fall for

to be tricked or deceived
fall into

fall into

to begin to be in a particular state or condition
fall under

fall under

to be classified or placed within a particular category, jurisdiction, rule, or authority
fall to

fall to

to become the responsibility or duty of someone
fall upon

fall upon

to attack suddenly and violently
fall through

fall through

to fail to happen or be completed