1 B1 neutral
To disassemble something by separating it into its component parts
"He loved taking apart old radios to see how they worked."
separable
take apart
B1 neutral separable transitive
To disassemble something into its component parts; also, to thoroughly criticize or defeat someone
In plain English
Pull something to pieces to see how it works; or beat or criticize someone completely
What does "take apart" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
(Informal) To thoroughly criticize or find fault with someone's work, argument, or ideas
"The reviewer took the new novel apart, pointing out every plot hole and inconsistency."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
(Informal) To defeat an opponent completely and convincingly
"The home side took their rivals apart in the second half, scoring four unanswered goals."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To take all the pieces apart from each other — transparent.
Actually means
Pull something to pieces to see how it works; or beat or criticize someone completely
Usage tip
The literal sense (disassembly) is neutral and practical. The figurative senses (criticism, defeat) are informal and emphatic. In the competitive sense ('the team took them apart'), it means winning very convincingly. In the critical sense, it means systematically exposing every flaw.
Words that pair with "take apart"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
engine clock argument opponent team proposal
How to conjugate "take apart"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
take apart
I/you/we/they
3rd person
takes apart
he/she/it
Past simple
took apart
yesterday
Past participle
taken apart
have + pp
-ing form
taking apart
continuous
Hear "take apart" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "take apart" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.