about to fall apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to fall apart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, object, or relationship that is on the verge of breaking down or failing. Example: "After months of neglect, the old building is about to fall apart and needs urgent repairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I didn't have time to do the math because at that precise moment my Dad walked into the funeral hall, mobile phone glued to his ear, and told the weeping crowd that the priest had disappeared, and that the whole organization was about to fall apart.

The Guardian - Books

IS THE internet about to fall apart?

The Economist

Now it was all about to fall apart.

The Washington Post

But predictions that Nigeria is about to fall apart are implausible.

The Economist

"Japan wasn't about to fall apart," one senior State Department official said today.

The New York Times

Such fictions, points out McEwan, proliferated in 70s Britain, as society seemed about to fall apart.

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact, by the second verse it feels like the whole thing is about to fall apart.

The Guardian - Music

Whatever they did, they didn't cultivate trust, so we always thought that everything was about to fall apart".

The Guardian - Music

Everything is jury-rigged with duct tape and wire, as if the whole environment were about to fall apart.

The New York Times

Seeing the deal about to fall apart, the video operator, who only moments before was seeing dollar signs, would run after him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Most affecting of all the chapters from this love-story-gone-wrong is Blank Expression, a forlorn torch song set to an about-to-fall-apart skank that finds our hero unexpectedly crossing paths with his ex.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to fall apart" to convey a sense of imminent failure or disintegration, whether referring to physical objects, relationships, or systems. It's effective for creating a sense of urgency or impending doom.

Common error

Avoid using "about to fall apart" in situations where the potential for failure is minor or easily remedied. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic. Choose a more nuanced phrase if the situation doesn't warrant such strong language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to fall apart" functions as a descriptive expression, typically used as a predicate adjective complementing a linking verb. It conveys a state of imminent disintegration or failure, indicating that something is on the verge of collapsing or breaking down. Ludwig shows numerous examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Music

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

General Conversation

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about to fall apart" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something on the verge of failure, disintegration, or collapse. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, but primarily found in News & Media. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, it is important to avoid overuse in overly dramatic contexts. For a more formal tone, alternatives like "on the verge of collapse" or "in danger of disintegrating" are suitable. The phrase serves to emphasize urgency, draw attention to instability, or warn others of a potentially harmful situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of collapse

Emphasizes the imminence of structural failure or breakdown.

on the brink of disintegration

Focuses on the process of breaking into smaller parts or losing cohesion.

ready to crumble

Suggests a gradual decline and decay, leading to collapse.

nearing its end

Highlights the approaching conclusion or termination of something.

in danger of collapsing

Indicates a state of risk or vulnerability to sudden failure.

at the point of failure

Emphasizes the specific moment or stage when something is about to fail.

close to breaking down

Focuses on the functional impairment or cessation of operation.

on its last legs

Implies a state of extreme weakness or decline, nearing the end of its usability.

approaching dissolution

Indicates the process of dissolving, decomposing, or coming to an end.

in the final stages of decay

Highlights the advanced state of decomposition and deterioration.

FAQs

How can I use "about to fall apart" in a sentence?

You can use "about to fall apart" to describe something on the verge of failure or disintegration. For example, "The old bridge looked like it was about to fall apart" or "Their relationship was about to fall apart after the argument."

What are some synonyms for "about to fall apart"?

Alternatives include "on the verge of collapse", "ready to crumble", or "nearing its end", depending on the context.

Is "about to fall apart" appropriate for formal writing?

While "about to fall apart" is widely understood, consider more formal alternatives like "on the brink of collapse" or "in danger of disintegration" for professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "about to fall apart" and "falling apart"?

"About to fall apart" indicates an imminent event, while "falling apart" describes a process already in progress. The former suggests something is on the verge of disintegration, while the latter implies it's actively breaking down.