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

  1. Fall apart as a verb (intransitive):

    To disintegrate.

    Examples:

    "My old briefcase is falling apart. I'll have to buy a new one."

  2. Fall apart as a verb (idiomatic):

    To be emotionally in crisis.

    Examples:

    "As a result of being addicted to heroin, she was falling apart."

  1. 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."

  2. 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."