Phrase guide

fall to pieces

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To break into a number of segments; to collapse.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The covers of the old book fell to pieces when I picked it up.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To be emotionally devastated; to break down.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Examples

  • When I found out my mother had passed away that night, I fell to pieces.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: tomber en miettes — collapse
  • Polish: rozpadać się na kawałki — collapse
  • Polish: rozpaść się na kawałki — collapse
  • Chinese Mandarin: 崩潰 /崩溃 (bēngkuì) — be emotionally devastated
  • Finnish: murtua — be emotionally devastated
  • Finnish: hajota — be emotionally devastated
  • French: s'effondrer — be emotionally devastated
  • Italian: andare in pezzi — be emotionally devastated
  • Polish: załamywać się — be emotionally devastated
  • Polish: załamać się — be emotionally devastated
  • Russian: разва́ливаться (razválivatʹsja) — be emotionally devastated
  • Russian: развали́ться (razvalítʹsja) — be emotionally devastated