take apart

take apart idiom
  1. Dismantle or disassemble, as in They had to take apart the stereo before they could move it. This usage was first recorded in 1936.
  2. Examine thoroughly, analyze or dissect, as in The teacher embarrassed Tom by taking his thesis apart in front of the class. [Mid-1900s]
  3. Beat up, thrash, as in You'd better be careful; those boys will take you apart. [Slang; mid-1900s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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