pʊl əˈpɑːrt
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- pull
- Particle:
- apart
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "pull apart" mean?
- To separate something into pieces
- To criticize harshly
- To cause division
Examples
- The children pulled the toy apart.
- The critics pulled apart his performance.
- Their constant fighting is pulling them apart.
- Let me pull apart your argument.
- The machine pulled apart at the seams.
How to use it
Can be literal (physical separation) or figurative (criticism, relationship problems). Similar to 'pick apart' for criticism.
Word order
Object can go between: 'pull the toy apart' or after: 'pull apart the toy'.
Similar expressions
separate
dismantle
criticize
divide
Opposites
put together
unite
praise
Related phrasal verbs
- pull off
To succeed in doing something difficult
- pull out
To remove something from inside
- pull up
To stop a vehicle
- pull over
To drive a vehicle to the side of the road and stop
- pull through
To survive a serious illness or difficult situation
- pull together
To work as a team; to cooperate
Use it in a practice answer
Try "pull apart" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.