collapse

Related to collapse: lung collapse

collapse into (something)

1. To physically drop or fall into something. Once Sarah crossed the finish line, she collapsed into her boyfriend's arms. After I got home from a 12-hour day at work, I collapsed into a comfy chair and dozed off.
2. To abruptly enter a negative state, such as a depression. After I lost my job, I collapsed into a serious depression. Economists have been warning that the country could collapse into another recession if preventative measures are not taken.
See also: collapse

collapse under the weight of (someone or something)

To fall down after supporting someone or something that is too heavy. The roof collapsed under the weight of all that snow.
See also: collapse, of, weight
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

collapse into something

 
1. Lit. to fall down into something with suddenness, as if out of energy. She was so tired, she collapsed into the chair. Juan collapsed into a chair and fell fast asleep.
2. Fig. [for someone] to fall into a particular kind of despair. The poor man collapsed into a deep depression. Scott collapsed into his own personal brand of grieving.
See also: collapse

collapse under someone or something

to cave in under the weight of someone or something. The grandstand collapsed under the weight of the spectators. The bridge collapsed from the force of the flood.
See also: collapse
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

collapse, fall, etc. in/into a ˈheap

fall down heavily and not move: He collapsed in a heap on the floor.
See also: heap
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • collapse into
  • collapse into (something)
  • grapple
  • grappling
  • suck (someone or something) into (something)
  • suck into
  • a guy thing
  • guy thing
  • brace (oneself) for (something)
  • brace oneself for
References in periodicals archive
According to the abovementioned analysis, the lowest pressure arch line is significant for predicting collapse of the surrounding rock, which should be gained in the first place.
Prediction of Collapse Scope of Deep-Buried Tunnels Using Pressure Arch Theory
The pastor showed a three-minute video clip to journalists in Lagos on Saturday, claiming the helicopter might have been responsible for the collapse of the six-storey guest house.
Death toll rises to 57 in Nigeria's church collapse
Most people who see Building 7's collapse have trouble believing that fires brought it down," says Richard Gage, a member of The American Institute of Architects and founder of Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth, which supports the ReThink911 campaign that sponsored the poll.
Validity of alternative 9/11 theories
Critique: Informed, informative, thoughtful, thought-provoking, practical, and occasionally iconoclastic, "The Five Stages of Collapse: Survivor's Toolkit" is highly recommended reading for anyone concerned with surviving catastrophic disruptions of our country, economy, and culture such as almost occurred with the near financial collapse of 2008.
The Five Stages Of Collapse
According to Tuesday's local media reports, Minister of Power Chinedu Nebo set up the panel in the capital city of Abuja on Monday to investigate the 15 power system collapses in the country since January.
Electricity-starved Nigeria investigates incessant power system collapse
When one accomplishes an one-element collapse experiment with various identical initial quantum subsystems (e.g., taking [W.sub.1] and [W.sub.2] into consideration), the result is one between the possible ones from identical objects (indistinguishable coins).
Comments on the statistical nature and on the irreversibility of the wave function collapse
Farrell said this is the first collapse in Bolton he was aware of, and that Fire Chief John Stephenson had commented that since he joined the department 40 years ago there had never been a roof collapse in Bolton.
Snow collapses roofs across region
Mr Hardy added: "It is a blessing the building didn't collapse any later when there were people passing.
Building reduced to a heap of rubble
Rhondda Cynon Taf council said they were attempting to clear water from the bottom of the collapse.
Engineers remain on site of land collapse
The title of this book is Reinventing Collapse, and that's exactly what this book manages to do.
Reinventing Collapse: The Soviet example and American prospects
Progressive collapse is a catastrophic structural failure mechanism.
Seismic progressive collapse: qualitative point of view
In 2005, we reported on the modern trend whereby collapse coverage was being expanded by the courts.
Collapse coverage: the conundrum continues
The book "Collapse" by Jared Diamond is so descriptive of Northern Ontario and its resource economy dilemmas, that it is chilling.
A book, a committee, the beginning of change
The dollar did not collapse, and Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway got a haircut.
Scaremongering, Inc.: poor forecasts from the false prophets of gloom and doom
KARACHI -- A man died and five including children were injured in roof collapse incidents in different areas of the megacity in the wee hours of Thursday.
One dead, 5 injured in roof collapse incidents