about to crumble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to crumble" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is on the verge of falling apart or failing, whether literally or metaphorically. Example: "The old building has been neglected for years and is now about to crumble under the weight of its own decay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

No less exciting, though rather more unsettling, is the real-life drama taking place on the world's financial markets, where investors have piled into gold on fears that capitalism is about to crumble.

The Guardian - Business

What wouldn't bin Laden be willing to do? ("If we know that the high dam in Egypt is about to crumble, we should inform the millions of Muslims of this danger").

The New Yorker

The pair had worked for Lawson and Saatchi since the start of the couple's relationship in 2001 and were sacked over the spending as the marriage was about to crumble.

The Guardian

That dominant win came in the days following her third strike when she now says she was aware that her season and career might be about to crumble into dust.

The Guardian - Sport

The chocolate looks melted, the marshmallow ready to ooze and stick to your fingers and the graham cracker slightly bent and about to crumble.

Los Angeles Times

She stutters and it appears as though she's about to crumble until something sparks, and as if possessed, the words start flowing out of her.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

1. REMEMBERING 9/11 -- Jules and Gedeon Naudet's astonishing and harrowing film "9/11," shot inside and around the about-to-crumble World Trade Center, provided the year's single most important, moving and memorable television experience when CBS showed it in March.

The New York Times - Arts

About a year ago, Reliance itself began to crumble.

The New York Times

This is your warm-up drive, an easy 45-minute side trip up California 168 out of Bishop, and the place where your misconceptions about California autumns will begin to crumble.

Los Angeles Times

In Washington, Mr Obama briefed leaders of Congress on options for quelling the al Qa'ida-inspired insurgency, though White House officials said the president had made no decisions about how to respond to the crumbling security situation.

Independent

"Whiplash," written and directed by Damien Chazelle, is insane; or, rather, it's about driving yourself to the crumbling brink of insanity, and to hell with everyone else.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to crumble" to create a sense of impending doom or instability, whether describing physical structures, relationships, or systems. It effectively conveys a feeling of fragility and imminent collapse.

Common error

Avoid using "about to crumble" in overly casual settings, as its dramatic tone might be disproportionate. Consider less intense alternatives like "weakening" or "unstable" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to crumble" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun or noun phrase, indicating that something is on the verge of collapsing or disintegrating. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about to crumble" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe something nearing collapse or failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions descriptively to create a sense of impending doom or instability, often in neutral to slightly formal contexts such as news reports or general writing. While related phrases like "on the verge of collapse" exist, "about to crumble" carries a distinct emphasis on gradual decay. Be mindful of overuse in overly casual contexts, and use its dramatic tone purposefully to convey fragility and imminent breakdown effectively. The sources for this phrase range from The Guardian to BBC to The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of collapse

Focuses on the imminence of failure or breakdown.

nearing disintegration

Emphasizes the process of breaking down into smaller parts.

on the brink of failure

Highlights the precariousness and potential for collapse.

ready to fall apart

Emphasizes the state of being structurally or metaphorically unsound.

close to collapsing

Similar to 'on the verge', emphasizing nearness to collapse.

about to disintegrate

Similar to 'nearing disintegration', but more immediate.

in danger of collapsing

Highlights the potential risk and instability.

at the point of collapse

Emphasizes reaching a critical stage before failing.

in imminent danger of collapse

Adds a sense of urgency and immediacy to the impending failure.

on its last legs

An idiomatic expression indicating nearing the end or failure.

FAQs

How can I use "about to crumble" in a sentence?

You can use "about to crumble" to describe something that is on the verge of failing or breaking down, such as "The old building was "on the verge of collapse" and about to crumble".

What phrases are similar to "about to crumble"?

Alternatives to "about to crumble" include "on the brink of failure", "ready to fall apart", or "nearing disintegration", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "about to crumble"?

"About to crumble" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is in a very fragile state and close to collapsing, either literally or figuratively.

What is the difference between "about to crumble" and "close to collapsing"?

While both phrases indicate impending failure, "about to crumble" often suggests a slower, more gradual decay, whereas "close to collapsing" might imply a more sudden or immediate breakdown.