The difference between Fall apart and Fall to pieces
When used as verbs, fall apart means to disintegrate, whereas fall to pieces means to break into a number of segments.
check bellow for the other definitions of Fall apart and Fall to pieces
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Fall apart as a verb (intransitive):
To disintegrate.
Examples:
"My old briefcase is falling apart. I'll have to buy a new one."
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Fall apart as a verb (idiomatic):
To be emotionally in crisis.
Examples:
"As a result of being addicted to heroin, she was falling apart."
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Fall to pieces as a verb:
To break into a number of segments; to collapse.
Examples:
"The covers of the old book fell to pieces when I picked it up."
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Fall to pieces as a verb (figurative):
To be emotionally devastated; to break down.
Examples:
"When I found out my mother had passed away that night, I fell to pieces."