collapse

col-lapse · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    (of a structure) To fall down or give way suddenly.

  2. 2.

    (of a person) To fall down suddenly due to illness or exhaustion.

  3. 3.

    To fail suddenly and completely.

  4. 4.

    To fold or be foldable into a small space.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    collapse in a heap — to fall down completely
  • •
    collapse under pressure — to fail when stressed
  • •
    economic collapse — severe financial failure

Related words

Antonyms: rise, stand, succeed
See also: collapsed, crumble, fail, fall
Synonyms: cave in, crumble, fail, fall

Etymology

From Latin collapsus, past participle of collabi meaning "to fall together," from com- ("together") and labi ("to fall, slip").