take apart

Definitions

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see take, apart.
2. To dismantle something into its component pieces.
3. To move someone away from others to be able to talk to, or give them something in private.
4. To soundly defeat someone, or a (sport) team.
   informal
5. to criticise someone

Equivalents

Examples

“I carefully took the clock mechanism apart to clean⟳ it.”

“....then went close⟳ up to him, and took him apart into a dark corner. "I say⟳," he began, with a thoughtful brow, "haven't I seen you before”

“And besides, I was also enjoying the way you took them apart. You know⟳, arguing with them like⟳ you did.”

“Argentine defender Martinez, normally so reliable and combative, was taken apart, especially when Salah led him a merry dance⟳ to set⟳ up Gakpo to settle⟳ the game with Liverpool's third five minutes after half-time.”

“For nearly an hour, I took them apart for failing to understand⟳, connect⟳ with, empathize with, and listen⟳ to the American people.?”

CEFR level