pull apart
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
to pull something into parts, or say what is wrong with it bit by bit
Literal meaning: Literally, to pull pieces away from each other.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
to separate something into pieces by pulling
"The twins pulled the old teddy bear apart."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
to examine and criticize something in detail
"The reviewer pulled the report apart in front of the whole team."
Grammar: separable
3 B2
idiomatic
neutral
to make people become separated emotionally or socially
"Years of secrecy pulled the family apart."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Used both literally and figuratively. Common with objects, arguments, plans, and writing.
Commonly used with
toy machine argument proposal essay family
Forms
Base
pull apart
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pulls apart
he/she/it
Past simple
pulled apart
yesterday
Past participle
pulled apart
have + pp
-ing form
pulling apart
continuous
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Synonyms
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