take apart

Verb

take apart (third-person singular simple present takes apart, present participle taking apart, simple past took apart, past participle taken apart)

1. To dismantle something into its component pieces.
   • I carefully took the clock mechanism apart to clean it.
2. (archaic) To move someone away from others to be able to talk to, or give them something in private.
   • ....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 before1868, Charles Dickens, Barnaby Rudge
3. (informal) To soundly defeat someone, or a (sport) team.
   • And besides, I was also enjoying the way you took them apart. You know, arguing with them like you did.2001, by Orson Scott Card, Shadow of the Hegemon, page 143
   • 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.2023 March 5, Phil McNulty, “Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United”, in BBC Sport

   Synonyms:

   tear apart

4. to criticise someone
   • For nearly an hour, I took them apart for failing to understand, connect with, empathize with, and listen to the American people.?2007, Frank Luntz, Words That Work, page 150