What is collapse? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "collapse" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with lots of different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Literal Collapse (Physical Breakdown)

• Meaning: To suddenly and completely fall or sink to the ground, often due to weakness, illness, or injury.
• Examples:
  • "The old bridge collapsed under the weight of the truck." (Structural failure)
  • "He collapsed from exhaustion after the marathon." (Loss of physical strength)
  • "She collapsed on the floor, clutching her chest." (Medical emergency)
  • "The building collapsed during the earthquake."

2. Figurative Collapse (Emotional/Mental Breakdown)

• Meaning: To lose mental or emotional stability; to become overwhelmed and unable to cope. This is a very common use of the word.
• Examples:
  • "After the devastating news, she started to collapse emotionally." (Feeling overwhelmed with sadness)
  • "He felt his world collapse around him when he lost his job." (Loss of stability and support)
  • "The pressure of the deadline caused her to collapse under the strain." (Mental exhaustion)
  • “He seemed to collapse during the interview, unable to answer simple questions.”

3. Collapse of Systems (Abstract Breakdown)

• Meaning: The failure of an organization, system, or structure to function properly.
• Examples:
  • "The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991." (Political and economic system failure)
  • "The housing market collapsed in 2008." (Economic system failure)
  • "The company’s reputation collapsed after the scandal." (Reputational damage)
  • “The old infrastructure collapsed under the increased demand.”

4. To Fall Down (Less Formal)

• Meaning: Simply to fall to the ground. This is a more casual way to use the word.
• Examples:
  • "The curtain collapsed onto the stage." (Falling down)
  • "He collapsed in a heap of pillows." (Falling down playfully)

Key Considerations & Related Words:

• Intensifiers: You can intensify the meaning of “collapse” with words like:

  • Completely: “He completely collapsed.”
  • Suddenly: “She suddenly collapsed.”
  • Utterly: “He utterly collapsed under the pressure.”

• Synonyms: Depending on the context, consider these synonyms:

  • Fail
  • Crumble
  • Break down
  • Give way
  • Sink

• Phrases:

  • "Collapse in tears"
  • "Collapse under pressure"
  • "Collapse of authority"

How to Choose the Right Meaning:

Think about the context. Is it about a physical object, an emotion, a system, or a simple fall? The surrounding words will usually give you a clue.

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To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

• What is the context in which you want to use the word "collapse"? (e.g., writing a story, discussing a news event, just learning the word?)