collapsed
collapsed — adjective
1. describing a lung or an artery that has gone flat and no longer works correctly
describing a lung or an artery that has gone flat and no longer works correctly as a result of damage from sickness or an accident
The patient was rushed to hospital with a collapsed lung after the car accident.
collapsed + lung — medical condition
Dr. Patel told the patient that the collapsed vein in her arm would need surgery to restore blood flow.
A collapsed blood vessel in Mr. Park's left leg caused serious swelling and made walking extremely painful.
The chest X-ray at the emergency room showed a partially collapsed lung that needed an urgent chest tube procedure.
- inflated
describes an airway or vein in its normal expanded state
文法句型
collapsed + noun (lung/blood vessel)
用法筆記
This medical sense is almost always used with 'lung' or 'blood vessel'. It describes a physical state, not an action.
常見錯誤
collapsed — noun
1. the sudden act of a structure or object falling down or inward, usually because
the sudden act of a structure or object falling down or inward, usually because it is no longer strong enough to support itself
The collapse of the old warehouse during the storm trapped three workers inside.
the collapse of + structure
Structural engineers are investigating the sudden collapse of the footbridge near Central Station.
Residents heard a loud noise and then saw the collapse of the apartment building's roof.
The sudden collapse of the copper mine shaft was caused by weak limestone layers deep underground.
Firefighters arrived just minutes after the collapse of the burning house on Maple Avenue.
- construction
the building-up process
- erection
formal term for putting up a structure
文法句型
the collapse of + noun
用法筆記
Used for buildings, bridges, tunnels, mines, and other physical structures. The collapse can be gradual or sudden.
2. the sudden and complete breakdown of a system, institution, or government, so th
the sudden and complete breakdown of a system, institution, or government, so that it no longer functions or continues to exist
The collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD marked the beginning of the Middle Ages in Europe.
collapse of + institution/empire
After the collapse of the company, more than two thousand people lost their jobs.
International sanctions led to the collapse of the country's banking system, wiping out people's life savings.
The peace talks ended in collapse when neither side would agree to a temporary ceasefire.
Marine biologists had warned about the collapse of the Atlantic cod industry due to decades of overfishing.
文法句型
the collapse of + organization/system
用法筆記
Often used with 'of' to specify what failed (government, empire, industry, talks). Can describe economic, political, or social failure.
常見錯誤
3. a sudden and large reduction in the price or value of stocks, property, or other
a sudden and large reduction in the price or value of stocks, property, or other assets
Investors lost millions in the collapse of the stock market last October.
collapse of the stock market
The collapse in oil prices forced many small companies to shut down.
collapse in + prices
Economists at the University of Chicago are studying the causes of the sudden collapse of the US housing market in 2008.
Farmers faced a collapse in crop prices after the record harvest flooded the market.
文法句型
collapse in/of + noun (prices, markets, values)
用法筆記
Common in financial contexts with 'in' (collapse in prices/property values) or 'of' (collapse of a market/sector).
4. a state of deep exhaustion affecting a person's body or mind, typically brought
a state of deep exhaustion affecting a person's body or mind, typically brought on by overwork, illness, or extreme emotional strain
After working ninety-hour weeks for a month, she suffered a complete physical collapse.
suffer a collapse — common collocation
The athlete's collapse during the final race was caused by dehydration and heatstroke.
Dr. Nakamura warned that another mental collapse was likely if her patient did not reduce his stress levels and rest more.
Mei-Ling was close to a collapse after caring for her sick mother day and night for two weeks.
- breakdown
more common for mental/psychological; 'collapse' suggests more sudden physical effect
- exhaustion
gradual rather than sudden; less dramatic
- prostration
formal/medical term for extreme weakness
文法句型
a/mental/physical collapse
用法筆記
Often preceded by 'suffer' or 'have'. Can be modified by 'physical', 'mental', 'nervous', or 'complete'. This is about a person's state, not a structure or system.
5. a critical medical condition in which a person becomes too weak to stand or resp
a critical medical condition in which a person becomes too weak to stand or respond, requiring immediate medical care, typically from dehydration, blood loss, or heatstroke
The hiker was found in a state of collapse after three days without water.
in a state of collapse — formal/medical phrase
Severe blood loss from the deep leg wound sent the car accident victim into circulatory collapse within minutes.
circulatory collapse — medical term
The paramedics treated the old man for collapse brought on by extreme heat.
Without immediate IV fluids, the cholera patient in the rural clinic would slip into collapse and die within hours.
- prostration
equally formal medical term
- shock
a specific medical condition with distinct symptoms from collapse
文法句型
in a state of collapse
用法筆記
Primarily a clinical term. Not used in everyday conversation. 'In a state of collapse' describes a whole-body medical emergency.
6. a medical condition in which all or part of a lung becomes empty of air, either
a medical condition in which all or part of a lung becomes empty of air, either due to injury or deliberately during surgery
The thoracic surgeon induced a partial collapse of the patient's left lung to perform the surgery safely.
induced collapse — deliberate medical procedure
Doctors told 19-year-old Hiroshi that his lung had collapsed spontaneously while he slept.
spontaneous lung collapse — medical context
The chest X-ray confirmed a complete collapse of the right lung caused by the stab wound between the ribs.
Treatment for lung collapse usually involves inserting a tube to remove trapped air.
- atelectasis
the specific clinical term for partial lung collapse
- pneumothorax
collapse caused by air in the chest cavity
- inflation
normal air-filled state of the lung
文法句型
pulmonary collapse
collapse of the lung
用法筆記
Medical professionals often use 'atelectasis' for a partial lung collapse and 'pneumothorax' specifically when air causes the collapse. 'Collapse of the lung' is the more general term.
collapsed — verb
1. when a building, bridge, wall, or other upright structure falls to the ground or
when a building, bridge, wall, or other upright structure falls to the ground or inward because its supports have failed
The old factory collapsed during the earthquake, sending dust high into the air.
subject: building/structure + collapse
Part of the ceiling collapsed in the kitchen, but fortunately no one was hurt.
The bridge collapsed into the river after being weakened by years of flooding.
Rescue workers searched the rubble after the mine tunnels collapsed on the miners.
The shed roof collapsed under the weight of the heavy snow last winter.
文法句型
collapse (of structure)
collapse + adverb (slowly, suddenly)
用法筆記
This is the most common physical sense. The collapsing structure is the subject of the sentence. Use 'under' for the cause (weight, pressure) and 'into' for the destination.
常見錯誤
2. when a system, institution, plan, or relationship suddenly stops functioning and
when a system, institution, plan, or relationship suddenly stops functioning and ceases to exist or operate altogether
The negotiations collapsed after the two sides failed to agree on a payment plan.
negotiations/talks + collapse
Sofia and Miguel’s marriage collapsed when they discovered they wanted very different things from life.
The government collapsed after the finance minister resigned and took three other ministers with him.
Our holiday plans collapsed when the airline cancelled all flights to the island.
The company's supply chain collapsed after the port workers went on strike.
- fall apart
more informal; similar meaning
- break down
can be partial; 'collapse' suggests total failure
- disintegrate
suggests breaking into pieces; more dramatic
文法句型
collapse (of system/plan/relationship)
用法筆記
Used metaphorically for anything abstract that can 'fall apart': plans, relationships, governments, systems. The subject is always an abstract concept or collective entity.
3. when a horizontal surface such as the ground, a floor, or a ceiling gives way an
when a horizontal surface such as the ground, a floor, or a ceiling gives way and drops inward, often creating a hole or empty space below
The ground collapsed beneath their feet, revealing a hidden cave system.
ground/floor + collapses beneath/under
Part of the sidewalk collapsed into a hole left by a broken water pipe.
The wooden floor of the old barn finally collapsed under the weight of the stored hay.
During the mining accident, the tunnel ceiling collapsed and blocked the exit.
- hold firm
support without failing
文法句型
collapse (of ground/floor/ceiling)
用法筆記
Closely related to sense 1 (structural fall), but specifically about surfaces giving way to reveal or create a cavity underneath. Often used with 'beneath', 'under', or 'into'.
4. when a price, value, market, or argument drops sharply to a much lower level or
when a price, value, market, or argument drops sharply to a much lower level or becomes logically unsupportable
The company's share price collapsed after the scandal was reported in the news.
price/value + collapses — financial context
The prosecution's case collapsed when the main witness admitted she had lied.
Property values in the area collapsed when the factory closed and people moved away.
Professor Okafor’s argument collapses as soon as you look at the actual data from the survey.
The currency collapsed against the dollar, making imported goods much more expensive.
- plummet
describes rapid downward movement; more visual
- tumble
less extreme than 'collapse'
- fall apart
for arguments and cases; more informal
- rise
increase in value
- hold up
remain valid (for arguments)
- strengthen
become more valuable or convincing
文法句型
collapse (of prices/value/argument/market)
用法筆記
In financial contexts, 'collapse' implies a much sharper drop than 'fall' or 'decline'. For arguments, it means the reasoning no longer holds up under examination.
5. when a person suddenly falls down or becomes unable to stand because of extreme
when a person suddenly falls down or becomes unable to stand because of extreme tiredness, illness, heat, or emotional shock
The marathon runner collapsed from heatstroke just a few hundred metres from the finish line.
collapse from + cause (heatstroke/exhaustion)
When the nurse told him his wife was safe, he collapsed into a chair with relief.
collapse into + chair/bed — emotional/physical
Several workers collapsed during the heatwave because the building had no air conditioning.
Nurse Elena collapsed on the sofa after working twelve hours straight at the hospital.
The old man collapsed in the street and a passer-by called an ambulance immediately.
- recover
regain strength after illness or tiredness
文法句型
collapse (from/with + cause)
用法筆記
The subject is always a person (or animal). Common causes follow 'with' or 'from': exhaustion, heat, hunger, relief. 'Into' describes where they fall (a chair, bed, or someone's arms).
常見錯誤
6. when a piece of furniture or equipment folds into a smaller, flatter shape so it
when a piece of furniture or equipment folds into a smaller, flatter shape so it can be stored or carried more easily
The camping chairs collapse into a bag that you can carry with one hand.
furniture + collapses into + compact form
This table collapses flat for easy storage under the bed.
The stroller collapses with just one button and fits into the boot of most cars.
The lightweight camping table collapses flat and fits into a small carrying bag for hiking trips.
文法句型
collapse (of furniture/item)
collapse + adverb/preposition (flat, down, away)
用法筆記
This sense describes a feature of well-designed objects. It is the opposite of 'expand' or 'set up'. Often used in product descriptions and instructions.
7. to cause a structure, system, or organization to fall down or fail completely, d
to cause a structure, system, or organization to fall down or fail completely, deliberately or accidentally
The demolition team used controlled explosives to collapse the old stadium in seconds.
transitive: collapse + object (structure)
The heavy rain collapsed the roof of the market, crushing dozens of stalls underneath.
Computer hackers managed to collapse the company's entire network for several hours.
The scandal effectively collapsed the once-powerful political party within just six months.
- bring down
more informal; can be physical or political
- demolish
deliberate destruction of a building
- destroy
more general; doesn't specify the manner
文法句型
collapse + object (structure/system)
用法筆記
This is the transitive/causative use. The subject (person, event, force) causes the object (structure, system, organization) to collapse. Compare with intransitive sense 1 where the structure collapses on its own.
常見錯誤
❌ 'The storm collapsed the roof.' (grammatically correct) vs. 'The roof collapsed during the storm.' — Both are correct but the transitive version focuses on the storm as the cause.
8. to reduce something to a shorter or more compact form, such as combining several
to reduce something to a shorter or more compact form, such as combining several things into one or compressing a period of time
The professor collapsed the whole semester's lectures into a single intensive weekend course.
collapse + time + into — condensing timeframe
The editor collapsed the first three chapters into one to make the book flow better.
In the final report, the team collapsed all the survey data into three main findings.
The spreadsheet allows you to collapse multiple rows of data into a single summary row.
- condense
most direct synonym; slightly more formal
- compress
can be literal (physical) or figurative
- abbreviate
specifically for words/text
文法句型
collapse + object (information/data/courses/time)
用法筆記
This sense is common in academic, editorial, and computing contexts. Use 'into' to specify the resulting condensed form. The opposite is 'expand'.