drop apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drop apart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is falling into pieces or separating into parts, often unexpectedly or suddenly. Example: "After years of wear and tear, the old bookshelf began to drop apart, leaving books scattered on the floor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

All the local authorities in Scotland saw a drop apart from Shetland, where the figure remained the same as the previous year.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Meanwhile, more forceful collisions break other drops apart into a scattering of smaller droplets.

Science Magazine

The uplifting song – with almost no name-dropping, apart from Neymar's – now opens one of Brazil's main soap operas – a sign that a popular musician has entered the first league.

BBC

What sets Drops apart from competitors like Duolingo, Banks told TechCrunch, is a combination of the app's fun and easy approach to designing games around these languages and the app's focus on building vocab over complex grammar skills.

TechCrunch

As can be seen from Table 2, for both countries the direction of changes in absolute trade volumes was almost the same: Volumes of C&T-value added and C&T-labor directly embodied in domestically and internationally traded C&T-goods dropped, apart from two exceptions.

Journal of Economic Structures

Early on in the sessions, during his radio interview with WNEW's Dave Herman, Harrison bemoaned the abandoning of 1960s idealism within the music industry and related this to the critical backlash he had recently received, from people who were "just dropping apart at the seams with hate", adding: "I'm talking about Rolling Stone actually – talking about [founding editor] Jann Wenner".

Wikipedia

++In the adjusted analysis, non-significant covariates were dropped, apart from risk group.

BMC Infectious Diseases

The rapper, who plays a football player with cancer in the upcoming film "Things Fall Apart," dropped from 214 pounds to 160 in nine weeks after liquid dieting and running on a treadmill three hours a day.

Huffington Post

When one of his guardians drops dead, things fall apart and are illegally reconstructed by Gibbs, acting in concert with the gorgeous Caitlin Todd SashaAlexander, Gibbsbbs's special friend and another special agent.

The New York Times - Arts

Though we may be caring less, we're hearing a lot more about Ponzi schemes lately, perhaps because the scams tend to fall apart when markets drop.

The New York Times

50's current workout routine sounds moderate compared to what he went through to play a cancer patient in 'Things Fall Apart.' He dropped from 214 pounds to 160 in just nine weeks by running on a treadmill three hours a day and sticking to a liquid diet.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drop apart" when you want to emphasize a sudden or unexpected separation, disintegration, or a decline in quality. It often implies that something was previously whole or intact.

Common error

Avoid using "drop apart" interchangeably with phrases like "fall apart" or "break apart" without considering the context. "Drop apart" can suggest a more sudden or unexpected separation than "fall apart", which implies a more gradual decline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drop apart" functions as a phrasal verb, combining the verb "drop" with the particle "apart". This creates a distinct meaning, indicating a sudden separation or disintegration, and it is deemed correct according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "drop apart" describes a sudden separation or disintegration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability. While synonymous with phrases like "fall apart" or "break apart", "drop apart" often emphasizes the unexpected nature of the separation. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general conversation. Remember to consider the nuance of suddenness when choosing between "drop apart" and similar phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall apart

This is a direct synonym, implying complete disintegration or failure.

break apart

Suggests a more forceful or sudden separation into pieces.

come undone

Implies a gradual loosening or disintegration, often of something fastened.

disintegrate

Indicates a complete breakdown into component parts, often over time.

crumble

Suggests a slow decay or collapse, often of a structure or system.

decay

Indicates gradual decomposition or decline in quality or condition.

collapse

Implies a sudden and complete failure or breakdown.

break down

Signifies a failure to function, either physically or metaphorically.

separate

Indicates a division or detachment into distinct parts.

disassemble

Suggests taking something apart piece by piece.

FAQs

What does "drop apart" mean?

The phrase "drop apart" describes something that suddenly separates into pieces or deteriorates rapidly. It suggests a loss of integrity or cohesion.

When is it appropriate to use "drop apart"?

Use "drop apart" when describing a sudden and often unexpected disintegration or separation, such as "The old toy dropped apart in his hands".

What can I say instead of "drop apart"?

You can use alternatives like "fall apart", "break apart", or "disintegrate" depending on the context.

Is there a subtle difference between "drop apart" and "fall apart"?

While similar, "drop apart" often implies a more sudden or unexpected separation, whereas "fall apart" can suggest a gradual decline or disintegration.