crumbling down

USAGE SUMMARY

"crumbling down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is breaking apart or collapsing. For example: The old shed was crumbling down after years of neglect.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And now it's coming crumbling down".

The New York Times

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

Business leaders must decide: Will the glass ceiling come crumbling down by itself, or will a sledgehammer make the first crack?

The New York Times

Speaking at the recent Uppsala Health Summit, Professor Otto Cars described resistance to antibiotics as "a silent tsunami, crumbling down the pillars upon which modern medicine is built".

The Guardian

One health expert described resistance to antibiotics as "a silent tsunami, crumbling down the pillars upon which modern medicine is built".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crumbling down" to vividly describe the physical decay of structures, the failure of systems, or the decline of abstract concepts. For example, "The old building was crumbling down after years of neglect."

Common error

Avoid using "crumbling down" in trivial situations. Overusing it in minor setbacks diminishes its impact and can make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "crumbling down" is that of a phrasal verb, acting as the predicate of a clause to describe a process of decay or collapse. Ludwig examples show it used both literally, referring to physical structures, and figuratively, denoting the failure of systems or plans. According to Ludwig AI the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Huffington Post

10%

TechCrunch

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crumbling down" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the process of something disintegrating or collapsing, both physically and figuratively. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically sound and commonly found in news and media. While "crumbling down" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "deteriorating" in academic or business settings. Avoid overuse in trivial situations to maintain its impact. Remember, the phrase’s effectiveness lies in its ability to vividly portray decline, so choose your context carefully. The examples available through Ludwig demonstrate the breadth of its application, from describing decaying buildings to failing systems.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falling apart

This alternative conveys a similar sense of disintegration or decay.

collapsing

Implies a sudden and complete failure or breakdown.

breaking down

Suggests a gradual failure or loss of functionality.

disintegrating

Emphasizes the process of something breaking into smaller parts.

decaying

Focuses on the natural process of rotting or decomposition.

deteriorating

Highlights the progressive decline in quality or condition.

falling to pieces

Describes a state of extreme disrepair or fragmentation.

giving way

Implies a yielding or collapsing under pressure or strain.

imploding

Suggests a collapse inwards, often violently.

coming undone

Describes something that is unraveling or losing its coherence.

FAQs

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

You can use "crumbling down" to describe a physical structure deteriorating, like "The ancient ruins were slowly "crumbling down"". It can also describe the failure of an organization or system.

What does "crumbling down" mean?

"Crumbling down" refers to something gradually falling apart or collapsing, either literally (like a building) or figuratively (like a plan or organization).

What are some synonyms for "crumbling down"?

Alternatives to "crumbling down" include "falling apart", "collapsing", or "disintegrating". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "crumbling down" in formal writing?

While "crumbling down" is widely understood, consider more formal alternatives like "deteriorating" or "declining" in professional or academic contexts for a more sophisticated tone.