crumbled down

USAGE SUMMARY

"crumbled down" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has collapsed or fallen apart into small pieces. Example: The old castle walls crumbled down as the strong winds and rain battered against them.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We had a concrete deck when the no-name monster storm came, and everything crumbled down," said Mr. Kaplan, 77.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And now it's coming crumbling down".

The New York Times

The cure here is the pillar of peer review; otherwise, the house comes crumbling down.

The Washington Post

But the World Series, and the season, have come crumbling down.

The New York Times - Sports

But as stoutly as Brazil defended against Holland, the sorry facade came crumbling down against France.

The Guardian - Sport

"I don't like things that look new, but I don't care for things that are crumbling down, either".

The New York Times

Sometimes all it takes is for one brave soul to break ranks to bring an unjust system crumbling down.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There's no reason for us to sit here and say the walls are crumbling down," Papelbon said, despite much evidence to the contrary.

The New York Times - Sports

He had no truck with the view that the workers would bring the structure crumbling down; the proletariat is noticeably absent from his analysis.

The Economist

However, all comes crumbling down after the pair are blamed for an incident at a fashionable launch party and a media storm begins.

Independent

But the couple's financial foundation came crumbling down after Bernard L. Madoff, with whom they had invested their money for 30 years, was arrested for his infamous Ponzi scheme.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crumbled down" to vividly describe a physical structure or an abstract concept that has broken apart or failed significantly.

Common error

While "crumbled down" is effective, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "collapsed" or "fell apart" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crumbled down" functions as a phrasal verb, modifying a noun or noun phrase to describe a state of disintegration or collapse. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Crumbled down" is a phrasal verb used to describe something that has disintegrated or collapsed, either physically or metaphorically. According to Ludwig AI, this is a valid and relatively uncommon phrase found primarily in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, remember to vary your language and avoid overuse of this specific phrase. Consider alternatives like "collapsed", "fell apart", or "broke down" to provide a more nuanced and engaging description. The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for professional writing and news reports.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crumbled to pieces

Adds emphasis to the idea of breaking into small fragments.

collapsed

This alternative is more concise, using a single verb to convey the idea of something falling apart.

fell apart

This is a common and straightforward way to describe something breaking down.

broke down

Suggests a failure or breakdown, often used for systems or structures.

disintegrated

Implies a complete breakdown into small particles.

decomposed

Used to describe the natural decay of organic matter.

gave way

This suggests a yielding under pressure or force.

deteriorated

Focuses on the gradual decline in quality or condition.

dissolved

Suggests that something has broken down completely, as if into a liquid.

vanished

Implies a sudden and complete disappearance.

FAQs

How can I use "crumbled down" in a sentence?

You can use "crumbled down" to describe the physical collapse of something, such as "The ancient walls of the castle "crumbled down" after centuries of neglect", or to describe the failure of something abstract, like "His dreams "crumbled down" when he lost his job".

What can I say instead of "crumbled down"?

You can use alternatives like "collapsed", "fell apart", or "broke down" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "crumbled" or "crumbled down"?

Both are correct, but "crumbled down" often implies a more complete or significant collapse. "Crumbled" can simply mean breaking into small pieces, while "crumbled down" suggests a structure or system has failed and fallen apart.

What's the difference between "crumbled down" and "fell apart"?

"Crumbled down" often describes a physical structure deteriorating, while "fell apart" can describe both physical objects and abstract concepts, such as relationships or plans. "The building crumbled down" versus "Their relationship fell apart".