come undone

USAGE SUMMARY

"come undone" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
For example, "I was so embarrassed when my shoe came undone in the middle of the presentation".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Toothpicked samples at the farmers' market, every melon, plum, I come undone, undone.

The New Yorker

Some travelers come undone.

The New York Times

COME UNDONE Opens on Friday in Manhattan.

The New York Times

What mother wants her child's laces to come undone?

The New York Times

Of course, this record could come undone in future years.

The New York Times

Those efforts appeared to come undone on Friday.

The New York Times

COME UNDONE -- Hot summer nights in a French beach town.

The New York Times

On the cravat: "It will never come undone".

The New York Times - Travel

"I was afraid it would come undone," she says.

The Guardian

But even Sprewell seemed to come undone in the end.

The New York Times - Sports

"Their hearts and their bones/ And they won't come undone".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "come undone", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. It can refer to physical disintegration (like a knot coming undone), emotional collapse, or the failure of a plan. Choose examples that reflect this intention to make the writing most effective.

Common error

Avoid using "come undone" solely for minor inconveniences. Its strength lies in describing significant failures or disintegrations, not trivial mishaps. Using it for minor issues dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come undone" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe a state of disintegration, failure, or emotional collapse. As Ludwig AI states, it is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from physical objects to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

35%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come undone" is a versatile verb phrase that describes disintegration, failure, or emotional collapse. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is commonly used in News & Media and Wiki sources, demonstrating its neutral register. While alternatives like "fall apart" or "disintegrate" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful of the phrase's strength and avoid using it for trivial matters to maintain its impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall apart

This alternative directly implies a breakdown or disintegration, similar to "come undone" but with a more physical connotation.

disintegrate

This suggests a more complete breakdown or decay, implying a loss of structure or cohesion, similar to "come undone" in its most extreme sense.

break down

This conveys a failure or collapse, often used in contexts of machinery, systems, or emotional states, mirroring the broader applications of "come undone".

unravel

This emphasizes the process of something becoming disordered or ruined, suggesting a gradual loss of control or structure, similar to one aspect of "come undone".

go to pieces

This idiom indicates a state of emotional distress or collapse, mirroring the emotional or psychological sense of "come undone".

crumble

Suggests a gradual deterioration or decay, often used metaphorically to describe the failure of plans or relationships, similar to one meaning of "come undone".

collapse

Implies a sudden and complete failure, similar to the more dramatic instances of "come undone".

fail

This is a general term for not succeeding or breaking down, which can sometimes capture the essence of "come undone" in certain situations.

be ruined

This passive construction emphasizes the result of a process similar to "come undone", highlighting the state of being destroyed or spoiled.

cease to function

This formal alternative highlights the cessation of normal operation or effectiveness, similar to the functional failure implied by "come undone".

FAQs

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

You can use "come undone" to describe something that has physically disintegrated (e.g., "The knot "came undone""), emotionally collapsed (e.g., "He "came undone" after the bad news"), or failed (e.g., "Their plans "came undone"").

What can I say instead of "come undone"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "fall apart", "disintegrate", "break down", or "go to pieces".

Is "come undone" formal or informal?

"Come undone" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might call for alternatives like "disintegrate" or "cease to function".

What does it mean for something to "come undone"?

When something "comes undone", it means it has disintegrated, fallen apart, or failed. This can apply to physical objects, emotional states, or plans and systems.