go to pieces
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb phrase: - To lose one's emotional or mental composure; to become so upset, anxious, or distressed that one can no longer function normally.
Usage
This phrase describes a state of severe emotional or psychological breakdown. It is used when a person becomes overwhelmed by strong negative emotions (such as grief, fear, or stress) to the point where they cannot control their feelings or maintain their usual behavior.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often implies a visible or dramatic loss of control, such as crying uncontrollably, panicking, or being unable to make decisions.
- It can be used in both past and present tenses (e.g., , ).
Variants and Related Words
- Fall apart (verb phrase): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "go to pieces" to describe emotional collapse.
- He fell apart when he heard the terrible news.
Synonyms
- Break down: To lose control of one's emotions.
- Lose it: (Informal) To suddenly become unable to control one's emotions or actions.
- Come unglued/undone: (Informal) To become emotionally upset and disorganized.
Related Idioms
- At the end of one's rope/tether: To have no more patience or energy left to deal with a difficult situation, which can precede "going to pieces."
- After weeks of caring for the sick child with no sleep, she was at the end of her rope and about to go to pieces.
Verb
- lose one's emotional or mental composure
- She fell apart when her only child died