break apart
B1 neutral mixed both
In simple words
to come into smaller parts or make it do that
Meanings
1 B1 neutral
to separate into smaller pieces
"The dry cookie broke apart in my hand."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral
to make something separate into pieces
"Use a fork to break the meat apart before serving."
Grammar: separable
3 B2
idiomatic
neutral
to collapse or divide emotionally or socially
"The team began to break apart after months of internal conflict."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Common in both physical and figurative uses, such as families, systems, or objects.
Commonly used with
pieces families rocks communities groups structure
Forms
Base
break apart
I/you/we/they
3rd person
breaks apart
he/she/it
Past simple
broke apart
yesterday
Past participle
broken apart
have + pp
-ing form
breaking apart
continuous
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Synonyms
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