come apart at the seams

come apart at the seams
fall apart (at the seams) & come apart at the seams
1. Lit. [for something] to break apart where its parts are joined. •

The dress fell apart at the seams.

I wouldn't have thought that a coat that cost that much money would just come apart at the seams.

2. Fig. to break down mentally. •

Tom works too much and finally fell apart.

Poor Ralph simply fell apart at the seams.

* * *
{v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To become upset to the point where one loses self-control and composure as if having suffered a sudden nervous breakdown. * /After his divorce Joe seemed to be coming apart at the seams./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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  • come apart at the seams — {v. phr.}, {slang}, {informal} To become upset to the point where one loses self control and composure as if having suffered a sudden nervous breakdown. * /After his divorce Joe seemed to be coming apart at the seams./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • come apart at the seams — to be in a bad condition and about to fail or lose control. Large segments of the world economy seem to be coming apart at the seams. Related vocabulary: come apart Etymology: from the idea that when the seams (= places where two pieces of… …   New idioms dictionary

  • come apart at the seams —    To say that someone is coming apart at the seams means that they are extremely upset or under severe mental stress.     Bob has had so many problems lately, he s coming apart at the seams …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • come\ apart\ at\ the\ seams — v. phr. slang informal To become upset to the point where one loses self control and composure as if having suffered a sudden nervous breakdown. After his divorce Joe seemed to be coming apart at the seams …   Словарь американских идиом

  • come/fall apart at the seams — informal : to break into parts or pieces usually used figuratively to describe someone or something that is in very bad condition The plan/company is falling apart at the seams. She looks like she s going to come apart at the seams. • • • Main… …   Useful english dictionary

  • come apart at the seams — …   Useful english dictionary

  • come (or fall) apart at the seams — informal be in a very poor condition and near to collapse. → seam …   English new terms dictionary

  • come apart — verb become separated into pieces or fragments The figurine broke The freshly baked loaf fell apart • Syn: ↑break, ↑separate, ↑split up, ↑fall apart • See Also: ↑break up …   Useful english dictionary

  • come apart — phrasal verb [intransitive] Word forms come apart : present tense I/you/we/they come apart he/she/it comes apart present participle coming apart past tense came apart past participle come apart 1) if an object comes apart, it separates into… …   English dictionary

  • come apart — to stop working effectively. Parents are saying that the school has come apart since the principal left. If the agreement comes apart, we ll just have to put a better one together. Related vocabulary: come apart at the seams …   New idioms dictionary

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