collapse
Translation
to collapse, to fall down, to fold
Examples
The old building collapsed after the earthquake.
The old building collapsed after the earthquake.
He collapsed from exhaustion.
He collapsed from exhaustion.
The chair can collapse for easy storage.
The chair can collapse for easy storage.
The peace talks collapsed last week.
The peace talks collapsed last week.
Grammar Patterns
((subject)) collapses (of a structure) to fall down suddenly The bridge collapsed during the storm.
((sb.)) collapses from ((sth.)) to fall down and become unconscious He collapsed from a heart attack.
((sth.)) collapses (of an object) to be able to be folded into a smaller space This table collapses for easy transport.
Similar Words
Etymology
From Latin 'com-' (together) + 'labi' (to slip, fall). It means 'to fall together'.
Memory Tips
Imagine a building's columns ('col-') all slipping ('-lapse') at once, causing it to fall down.