1 C1 neutral
To physically separate tangled or intertwined strands or fibres carefully.
"The lab technician teased apart the muscle fibres under the microscope."
inseparable
tease apart
C1 neutral inseparable transitive
To carefully separate strands, elements, or ideas that are tangled or mixed together.
In plain English
To slowly and carefully separate things that are all mixed up together, like untangling a knot.
What does "tease apart" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic formal
To separate complex ideas, variables, or factors in order to analyse them individually.
"The study attempts to tease apart the effects of diet and exercise on cardiovascular health."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To gently pull tangled strands or fibres apart without breaking them.
Actually means
To slowly and carefully separate things that are all mixed up together, like untangling a knot.
Usage tip
Common in academic and scientific writing to describe separating complex variables, concepts, or arguments. Also used literally for physical materials like fibres or hair. Typically implies patience and precision.
Words that pair with "tease apart"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
strands fibres variables concepts factors arguments
How to conjugate "tease apart"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
tease apart
I/you/we/they
3rd person
teases apart
he/she/it
Past simple
teased apart
yesterday
Past participle
teased apart
have + pp
-ing form
teasing apart
continuous
Hear "tease apart" in the wild
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Other ways to say "tease apart"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
differentiate disentangle distinguish isolate separate untangle
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