fall to pieces

fall to pieces

1. To physically break or fall apart. If we don't get the roof replaced soon, it could just fall to pieces on us. This car has started falling to pieces! We really need to replace it soon. No, don't sit in that chair—it's so old, it's liable to fall to pieces with you in it!

2. To become very emotional. Poor Jane really fell to pieces during the funeral service. I can't watch those sappy movies because I just fall to pieces every time. A: "What's all that commotion in the background?" B: "Oh, just my toddler falling to pieces about one thing or another."

3. To deteriorate or go awry. Boy, this party has really fallen to pieces. First, there was the issue with the caterer, and now half the guests aren't coming. Their marriage eventually fell to pieces after he discovered that his wife was having an affair. I thought I would be able to get a lot of people to sign my petition, but things are really falling to pieces now. I'll be lucky if I can scrounge up 10 signatures!

See also: fall, piece, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

fall to pieces

 

1. Lit. to break into pieces. The road was so rough the car almost fell to pieces. I was afraid that my bicycle would fall to pieces before I got there.

2. Fig. to become emotionally upset. I was so nervous, I fell to pieces and couldn't give my speech. Roger fell to pieces when his mother died.

See also: fall, piece, to

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

fall to ˈpieces

1 (usually used in the progressive tenses) (of things) become very old and in bad condition because of long use: Our car is falling to pieces, we’ve had it so long.
2 (of a person, an organization, a plan, etc.) stop working; be destroyed: He’s worried that the business will fall to pieces without him.

See also: fall, piece, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

fall to pieces

1. To break apart; disintegrate or collapse.

2. To become distraught or lose one's ability to cope.

See also: fall, piece, to

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.