pull apart

present singular third person pulls apart · participle present pulling apart · participle past pulled apart · past pulled apart

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see pull, apart.
2. intransitiveTo become separated as a result of pulling.

   A frayed rope will pull apart under tension.

3. transitiveTo separate (people or animals that are fighting).

   The drunken brawlers had to be pulled apart.

4. transitiveTo disassemble, dismantle, take apart (a machine or other mechanical device).

   When his watch stopped working, he pulled it apart to work out what was wrong with it.

5. figurativelytransitiveTo investigate rigorously the basis of (an idea or theory).

   Starting with a couple of inconsistencies, the detective began to pull apart his alibi.

6. figurativelytransitiveTo criticise harshly and in detail.

   The professor pulled her essay apart in front of the entire class.