1 A2 neutral
To break into pieces physically; to disintegrate.
"The old paperback was so worn that it fell apart the moment she opened it."
inseparable
fall apart
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
To break into pieces or collapse completely, physically or figuratively.
In plain English
To break into many pieces, or to stop working or existing properly.
What does "fall apart" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
Of a plan, organization, or situation: to fail completely or stop functioning.
"The peace talks fell apart after both sides refused to compromise on the key issues."
“
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold.
— W.B. Yeats, 'The Second Coming', 1919 (also the basis for Chinua Achebe's novel title 'Things Fall Apart', 1958).
inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
Of a person: to lose emotional control; to become unable to cope.
"When she heard the news, she completely fell apart and couldn't stop crying for days."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fall in separate directions — pieces separating from each other.
Actually means
To break into many pieces, or to stop working or existing properly.
Usage tip
Used both literally (an object disintegrating) and figuratively (a relationship, plan, or person collapsing). The figurative sense is extremely common in everyday speech. Can also describe someone losing emotional control under stress.
Words that pair with "fall apart"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
relationship marriage plan deal seams peace process family
How to conjugate "fall apart"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
fall apart
I/you/we/they
3rd person
falls apart
he/she/it
Past simple
fell apart
yesterday
Past participle
fallen apart
have + pp
-ing form
falling apart
continuous
Hear "fall apart" in the wild
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Other ways to say "fall apart"
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Keep exploring
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