fall apart

fall apart

1. Literally, to break into pieces. Don't stand on that rickety old chair—it's liable to fall apart at any moment.
2. To be approaching failure. Boy, this party is really falling apart. First, there was the issue with the caterer, and now half the guests aren't coming.
3. To become very emotional, especially with sadness or grief. Poor Jane really fell apart during the funeral service. I can't watch those sappy movies because I just fall apart every time.
See also: apart, fall
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fall apart (at the seams)

 and come apart at the seams 
1. . Lit. [for something] to break apart where its parts are joined. The dress fell apart at the seams. I wouldn't have thought that a coat that cost that much money would just come apart at the seams.
2. Fig. to break down mentally. Tom works too much and finally fell apart. Poor Ralph simply fell apart at the seams.
See also: apart, fall
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

fall apart

Collapse, break down, either physically or mentally and emotionally. For example, This chair is about to fall apart, or After his wife died, he fell apart. For synonyms for the latter usage, see come apart at the seams; go to pieces.
See also: apart, fall
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

fall apart

v.
1. To disintegrate, collapse, or break into pieces: The rickety chair fell apart when I sat on it.
2. To suffer a nervous breakdown: The political prisoner fell apart after years in solitary confinement.
3. To lose structure or continuity: Our vacation plans fell apart because we couldn't agree on which country to visit.
See also: apart, fall
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • give way
  • fly apart
  • fall through
  • rattle-trap
  • fall overboard
  • from here on
  • from here on in
  • from here on out
  • literally
  • plunge to (one's) death
References in periodicals archive
Scholars have described Things Fall Apart as the spark that ignited the proliferation of modern African novel writing.
Revisiting a classic: Things Fall Apart is being brought back to center stage after 50 years for its role in shaping modern African literature
Giving a breakdown of the activities happening in Nigeria, the head of a five-person organising committee, disclosed that the celebration was themed: Things Fall Apart: 60 years on and will take place in five cities.
Things Fall Apart@60: Why we're celebrating in 11 African countries -Okediran
What's striking is the seeming casualness, the almost trashed quality, of the unerring construction (it looks like it could fall apart but, spookily, it is the appearance of the holes and shadows that fastens it together).
Lecia Dole-Recio: Richard Telles Fine Art. (Los Angeles)
"We had to work with 33" thick masonry walls and interlocking panels that -- if not carefully cut to install HVAC and plumbing chases -- would fall apart. But, in the end, the building looks magnificent, and prospective apartment buyers are abundant."
Former Sielgels store convert nears completion
So when did it all begin to fall apart, I wondered?
And another thing ... Of Nostradamus and nostalgia
President Clinton and his Republican NAFTA allies held their breath, wondering whether Mexico would fall apart. The first signs that it would not could be seen on the spot of the Colosio assassination.
The new Mexico: the reaction to the revolt and assassination bodes well for the future
KIERON Dyer has vowed that Newcastle won't let their UEFA Cup hopes "fall apart" and suffer a repeat of the agony of two years ago.
Football: DYER: TOON FIT TO BE FAVOURITES; BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP AZALKMAAR v NEWCASTLE, TOMORROW, 7.35PM
ALAN THOMPSON fears Celtic could fall apart next season without Henrik Larsson.
FOOTBALL: I fear for us minus Larsson
If a hairline fracture now extending from the main crack were to grow during the move, he says, "the bell could literally fall apart." Arms plans to monitor the bell's transfer this fall to make sure it isn't jostled any more vigorously than it was during the warm-up lift.
Liberty's smooth move
The flatness of the first images dissolves into energetic splatters and dried, cracked patches: a paint surface so fascinating that what previously seemed a unified whole now seems about to fall apart entirely, all that stillness broken up into a crackling maze of near-biological complexity.
Andrew Young
A half hour before the end, Earth itself would fall apart. Finally, one ten-thousandth of a femtosecond ([10.sup.-19] second) before the Big Rip, molecules and atoms would break up.
Phantom energy would trigger the Big Rip. (Cosmic Doomsday Scenario)
But while she's staying with her sister's, her mother returns and Camille begins to fall apart.
Reinventing the Woman
The micro-spheres fall apart inside the body and release the vaccine.
Liquid could aid vaccine storage, use. (Vaccine Design)
The Scots rocker, famous for his roving eye, said he remained true to Rachel - only for their marriage to fall apart anyway.
Rachel kept me faithful says sad rocker Rod
The top seed disputed a series of line calls and then saw his game fall apart after winning the first set.
Tennis: Furious Phil crashes out