take apart

separate something into its different parts

B2

What does "take sth apart" mean?

To take something apart means to carefully separate it into all of its individual pieces or components. This is typically a deliberate, methodical action — someone takes a machine, device, or object apart because they want to repair it, inspect it, clean it, or understand how it works. The phrase carries a sense of purpose and control: you're not breaking something, you're systematically disassembling it. It's used in everyday conversation as well as in technical and DIY contexts, making it a very versatile and practical expression. Reassembly is often implied or at least possible — taking something apart is usually just one step in a larger process.

Examples

How to use it

take + object + apart

The most common pattern, with the object placed between 'take' and 'apart', especially with short noun phrases.

She took the old clock apart to clean the mechanism inside.

take + pronoun + apart

When the object is a pronoun, it must always appear between 'take' and 'apart' — this position is not optional.

The watch stopped working, so he took it apart to find the problem.

take apart + longer noun phrase

With longer or more complex noun phrases, keeping the phrasal verb together and placing the object after 'apart' sounds more natural.

The engineer had to take apart the entire ventilation system to locate the fault.

be taken apart (passive)

The passive form is natural, particularly in technical or instructional contexts where the person doing the action is less important.

The device was taken apart and each component was tested individually.

modal + take + object + apart

Modal verbs are commonly used with this phrasal verb to express ability, necessity, or permission in practical situations.

You can take the bicycle apart quite easily — no special tools are needed.

Common Collocations

engineclockphonemachinetoydevice

Common Mistakes

Wrong pronoun position

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'take' and 'apart'. Placing it after 'apart' is ungrammatical in English.

✗ I need to take apart it before we can move it.
✓ I need to take it apart before we can move it.
Confusing 'take apart' with 'pull apart'

'Take apart' suggests a careful, deliberate disassembly — usually done to fix or examine something. 'Pull apart' implies more force and less care, and doesn't suggest the pieces will be put back together.

✗ He pulled apart the watch carefully to replace the battery.
✓ He took the watch apart carefully to replace the battery.
Using 'take apart' for abstract or non-physical things

In its literal sense, 'take apart' is used for physical objects such as machines and devices. Using it for abstract things like problems or costs sounds unnatural — 'break down' is the better choice in those cases.

✗ Let's take apart the budget to see where we can save money.
✓ Let's break down the budget to see where we can save money.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works in both spoken and written English. It can also be used figuratively in informal contexts to mean criticising someone or something very harshly (e.g. 'the press took his speech apart').

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'take apart' always mean disassembly, or can it mean something else?

In its literal sense, yes — it refers to physically separating something into its components. However, there is also an informal figurative sense where it means to criticise someone or something very harshly, or to defeat someone decisively (e.g. 'the reviewer took the film apart'). The context usually makes the meaning clear: if the object is a physical device or machine, it's the literal sense; if it's a person, argument, or performance, it's the figurative one.

What kinds of objects are typically used with 'take apart'?

The most natural objects are mechanical or electronic things, such as engines, clocks, watches, phones, computers, bicycles, toys, and household appliances. The common thread is that these are objects made of multiple components that can be separated and potentially put back together. You wouldn't normally use 'take apart' for something like a piece of paper or a cake.

Can 'take apart' be used in the passive voice?

Yes, the passive is quite natural with this phrasal verb. It works especially well in technical or instructional writing where the focus is on the object rather than the person doing the work, for example: 'The phone was taken apart and the battery was replaced.' It's a perfectly normal and common construction.

Does 'take apart' imply that the object will be put back together afterwards?

Not necessarily, but it often does. The word 'apart' focuses on the disassembly itself, but the broader context — especially when the reason is to repair or inspect something — usually implies that reassembly is the goal. If you just want to emphasise permanent separation, 'dismantle' or 'pull apart' might be more appropriate.

Is 'take apart' more suitable for spoken or written English?

It works well in both. You'll hear it in everyday conversation ('I took my bike apart this weekend') and see it in technical manuals, DIY guides, and instructional writing. It's a neutral, versatile expression with no strong restriction to either spoken or written contexts.

Ready to practise?

Practise 1,000+ English phrasal verbs with interactive gap-fill exercises.

Start Practising →