came undone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came undone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has become loose, disassembled, or has failed to hold together, often in a metaphorical sense as well. Example: "After years of wear and tear, the old chair finally came undone, leaving us with a pile of broken wood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The merger later came undone.

The New Yorker

But then everything came undone.

The New York Times - Sports

Then, his charmed life came undone.

The New York Times

Of course, it all came undone.

The New York Times

Serena held on, while Venus came undone.

The New York Times - Sports

Then I snapped and everything came undone.

The New York Times

Then, inevitably, the coherence came undone.

The New York Times

That came undone with the various safety car interventions.

Independent

While he came undone, González only got stronger.

The New York Times - Sports

His bids for the presidency quickly came undone.

The New York Times

As soon as Marcum left, the Mets came undone.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came undone" to describe a process or situation that was previously stable or organized but has now fallen apart or failed. It implies a loss of cohesion or structure.

Common error

While "came undone" is acceptable, it might sound less formal than alternatives like "failed" or "disintegrated" in academic or professional writing. Consider your audience and choose the most appropriate term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came undone" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as the predicate of a sentence. It describes a state of disintegration, failure, or collapse. Ludwig's examples show it frequently used to describe plans, relationships, or even physical objects that have ceased to hold together.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Sports

18%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "came undone" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that describes a state of disintegration, failure, or collapse. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable, particularly in news and sports reporting. While generally neutral in register, writers should consider the formality of the context and choose synonyms if necessary. Alternatives such as ""fell apart"", ""collapsed"", or "disintegrated" can offer different nuances. Therefore, use "came undone" to effectively convey the idea of something losing its structure or failing, while remaining mindful of the intended audience and register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fell apart

Suggests a breakdown or disintegration, often physically but can also be metaphorical.

collapsed

Implies a sudden and complete failure or breakdown.

disintegrated

Indicates a gradual process of breaking into smaller parts.

unraveled

Suggests that something carefully constructed has come apart.

crumbled

Implies a gradual decay or breakdown, often under pressure.

failed

A general term for not succeeding or meeting expectations.

broke down

Similar to "fell apart" but can also apply to systems or machinery.

came to naught

Means that an effort or plan was unsuccessful or futile.

went awry

Indicates that something deviated from its intended course and became problematic.

was ruined

Indicates that something has been damaged or spoiled irreparably.

FAQs

What does "came undone" mean?

The phrase "came undone" means that something has fallen apart, failed, or lost its structure. It often implies a process where something previously stable or organized has broken down.

How can I use "came undone" in a sentence?

You can use "came undone" to describe various scenarios, such as "The project "fell apart" when the funding was cut" or "Her carefully constructed composure "collapsed" under the pressure."

What are some alternatives to "came undone"?

Alternatives to "came undone" include phrases like ""fell apart"", ""collapsed"", "disintegrated", or "unraveled", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "came undone" formal or informal?

"Came undone" is generally considered neutral in register. While suitable for news and general writing, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "failed" or "disintegrated".