take apart

What does "take apart" mean?

1. To separate something into its component parts
2. To criticize or defeat someone/something thoroughly

Examples

• He took apart the engine to find the problem.
• The critic took apart the movie in her review.
• Kids love to take apart their toys to see how they work.
• The opposing lawyer took apart our argument in court.
• I took the computer apart but couldn't put it back together.

How to use it

When meaning criticism, 'take apart' implies thorough and devastating critique. Common in mechanical and critical analysis contexts.

Word order

Separable: 'take something apart' or 'take apart something'

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• take off

  To remove clothing or accessories

• take on

  To accept a responsibility, job, or challenge

• take up

  To start a new hobby, activity, or interest

• take over

  To gain control of something (company, position, responsibility)

• take out

  To remove something from a place

• take back

  To return something to a store