crumble
/ˈkrʌmbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkrʌmbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkrəm-bəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈkrʌm.bəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkrʌm.bəl/ (ame, ipa)
crumble — verb
- crumblepresent simple I / you / we / they
- crumbleshe / she / it
- crumbledpast simple
- crumbling-ing form
1. to use your fingers to press something dry, such as bread, a biscuit, or a dried
to use your fingers to press something dry, such as bread, a biscuit, or a dried herb, until it turns into tiny crumbs; or for old, dry, or weak material to break into fragments by itself.
Jisoo crumbled the dried rosemary into the stew with her fingertips.
transitive: crumble + object + into [liquid/food]
The old brick wall had crumbled after centuries of winter rain and frost.
intransitive: subject (structure) + crumbles [gradual decay]
As Antonia unfolded the ancient map, its edges crumbled in her hands.
Piotr crumbled a slice of bread over the soup to make it thicker.
Tendai watched the sandstone cliffs slowly crumble into the sea below.
- crush
stronger pressure, often with a tool or full hand; can be less precise than crumble
- break up
more general; can apply to any material into any size
- disintegrate
formal; implies complete breakdown into fragments, often gradual
- hold together
to remain as one piece or structure
文法句型
crumble + object (transitive)
subject + crumble (intransitive)
用法筆記
The transitive use describes an intentional action (you crumble food by pressing it). The intransitive use describes natural decay over time. Do not confuse with 'crumple' (to crush into creases, like paper).
常見錯誤
2. for a system, organization, relationship, or someone's emotional control to grad
for a system, organization, relationship, or someone's emotional control to gradually become weaker and fail, especially because of pressure from outside.
The family business crumbled when the local economy slowed down.
intransitive: business/institution + crumbles [gradual failure]
Selim's confidence crumbled after he failed the driving test three times.
The peace agreement crumbled as both sides refused to compromise.
Under constant criticism from her boss, Lakshmi's usual calm finally crumbled.
The dictator's regime crumbled when the army refused to support him.
- collapse
more sudden and complete; can be physical or abstract
- deteriorate
gradual decline in quality or condition, not necessarily ending in failure
- disintegrate
break into parts; more dramatic and final than crumble
- strengthen
to become more powerful or resilient
- hold firm
to resist pressure and stay strong
文法句型
subject (system/confidence/business) + crumble
crumble + under + [pressure/stress/criticism]
用法筆記
Subject is usually an abstract noun: confidence, resistance, a relationship, an empire, a system, or one's composure. Often used with 'under' to introduce the cause of the failure.
常見錯誤
crumble — noun
- crumblesingular
- crumblesplural
1. a hot sweet dish made by baking soft fruit in a dish and topping it with a dry,
a hot sweet dish made by baking soft fruit in a dish and topping it with a dry, rubbed-together blend of fat, grain flour, and sweetener that becomes crunchy and brown in the heat.
Tariro served a warm apple crumble with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
countable: a [fruit] crumble
Nellie's rhubarb crumble won first prize at the village bake sale.
For a quick dessert, David made a plum crumble with oats on top.
Indra's mother taught her how to make a perfect blackberry crumble.
文法句型
a [fruit] crumble (countable)
[fruit] crumble (uncountable)
用法筆記
Primarily used in British English. In American English, a similar dish is called a 'crisp'. Common fruit combinations: apple, rhubarb, plum, blackberry. Usually served hot with custard, cream, or ice cream.