collapse
/kəˈlæps/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈlæps/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈlaps/ (ame, mw)
collapse — verb
- collapsepresent simple I / you / we / they
- collapseshe / she / it
- collapsedpast simple
- collapsing-ing form
1. When a building, bridge, wall, or other structure falls down suddenly, usually b
When a building, bridge, wall, or other structure falls down suddenly, usually because it cannot bear its own weight or because something hits it.
The old warehouse collapsed during the heavy rainstorm, sending bricks everywhere.
intransitive: structure + verb of sudden falling
A small earthquake made the ceiling collapse onto the dining table below.
The wall collapsed under the weight of the piled-up snow after the blizzard.
Part of the tunnel collapsed, trapping the workers inside for several hours.
The bridge collapsed just moments after the last car drove across it.
用法筆記
Intransitive only — you cannot 'collapse something' in this sense. The subject is typically a structure such as a building, bridge, wall, roof, or tunnel.
常見錯誤
2. When a person or animal falls down suddenly because of illness, injury, extreme
When a person or animal falls down suddenly because of illness, injury, extreme tiredness, or shock, and is often unable to get up.
The nurse collapsed in the hospital hallway after working for two days straight.
intransitive: person + collapse + reason (after [activity])
Beatriz collapsed from heatstroke during the marathon and was rushed to a medic.
collocation: collapse from [cause: illness/heat/exhaustion]
Theo collapsed onto the sofa when he got home, worn out from the trip.
Several runners collapsed at the finish line of the race from total exhaustion.
The old man collapsed in the street and a passerby called for an ambulance immediately.
- stand
remain upright on one's feet
- stay conscious
remain awake and aware
用法筆記
Intransitive only. The subject is always a living being. Common adverbial modifiers: 'from' (cause), 'onto' (surface landed on), 'in/at' (location). Unlike faint, collapse does not necessarily imply loss of consciousness.
常見錯誤
3. To fold a chair, table, umbrella, or other object so that it takes up less room;
To fold a chair, table, umbrella, or other object so that it takes up less room; or for such an object to be designed with this ability.
The camping chairs collapse into a small bag that fits easily in the car.
intransitive: furniture + collapse + into [shape]
Ravi collapsed the stroller before getting onto the crowded city bus.
transitive: person + collapse + object
This table collapses flat so you can store it under the bed when guests leave.
The umbrella collapses to the size of a water bottle when you press the button.
I collapsed the cardboard box and put it into the recycling bin outside the house.
文法句型
collapse + object (transitive)
collapse + adverb (intransitive)
用法筆記
This is the only sense of collapse that can be used transitively (you can collapse something). In intransitive use, the subject is an object designed to fold: furniture, umbrellas, boxes, etc.
常見錯誤
4. When a person, company, system, or process suddenly stops working or functioning
When a person, company, system, or process suddenly stops working or functioning in a normal way, often with serious consequences.
The travel company collapsed after running out of money during the slow season.
collocation: company / business + collapse (meaning go bankrupt)
The peace talks collapsed when neither side was willing to change their position.
collocation: talks / negotiations + collapse
After months of stress at work, Yusuf collapsed and could not continue his daily routine.
The banking system collapsed during the financial crisis of two thousand and eight.
Their marriage collapsed under the constant strain of living in different countries.
- fail
more general; can be gradual or partial
- break down
suggests a mechanical or functional failure
- go under
informal; specifically for businesses going bankrupt
用法筆記
Intransitive only. The subject can be concrete (a company, a government) or abstract (talks, a relationship, a plan). For people, this sense specifically means having a nervous breakdown or becoming unable to cope — distinct from sense 2 (physically falling down).
常見錯誤
collapse — noun
- collapsesingular
- collapsesplural
1. The sudden breakdown or complete end of an institution, company, government, or
The sudden breakdown or complete end of an institution, company, government, or established process, often causing serious problems.
The collapse of the bank left thousands of people without their life savings.
collocation: the collapse of [institution]
Economists had warned about the collapse of the housing market for several years.
The collapse of the peace talks was a deep disappointment for everyone involved.
The company's sudden collapse happened much faster than any of the investors expected.
The collapse of the ancient empire led to chaos and disunity across the region.
文法句型
the collapse of [something]
用法筆記
Commonly followed by 'of' + noun phrase specifying what failed. Countable when referring to a single specific instance (a collapse of the banking system); uncountable when referring to the concept generally (the threat of economic collapse).
常見錯誤
2. The sudden act of someone or something physical falling from a standing or uprig
The sudden act of someone or something physical falling from a standing or upright position, especially from weakness or outside force.
The collapse of the old factory could be heard from over a mile away.
collocation: the collapse of [structure]
Doctors said her sudden collapse was caused by severe dehydration and low blood sugar.
collocation: sudden collapse (medical context)
The sudden collapse of the bridge caused a major traffic jam across the whole city.
Witnesses described the collapse of the building as a terrifying sight that shook the ground.
The collapse of the elderly man at the bus stop shocked everyone nearby.
文法句型
the collapse of [something]
用法筆記
Often preceded by 'the' + 'of' to specify what collapsed. Use 'sudden collapse' to emphasize unexpectedness. For people, this refers to the physical act of falling (not a mental breakdown — see verb sense 4 for that meaning).