pull apart

Verb

pull apart (third-person singular simple present pulls apart, present participle pulling apart, simple past and past participle pulled apart)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see pull, apart.
2. (intransitive) To become separated as a result of pulling.
   • A frayed rope will pull apart under tension.
3. (transitive) To separate (people or animals that are fighting).
   • The drunken brawlers had to be pulled apart.
4. (transitive) To disassemble, dismantle, take apart (a machine or other mechanical device).
   • When his watch stopped working, he pulled it apart to work out what was wrong with it.
5. (figuratively, transitive) To investigate rigorously the basis of (an idea or theory).
   • Starting with a couple of inconsistencies, the detective began to pull apart his alibi.
6. (figuratively, transitive) To criticise harshly and in detail.
   • The professor pulled her essay apart in front of the entire class.