collapse verb (FALL)
B2 [ I ] to fall down suddenly because of pressure or having no strength or support:
Thousands of buildings collapsed in the earthquake.
› [ I or T ] to fold something into a smaller shape, usually so it can be stored, or (especially of furniture) to fold in this way:
More examples
- It looks as if the whole political edifice of the country is about to collapse.
- I should think you're about ready to collapse after all that walking.
- The building's foundations are rather shaky, and it could collapse at any time.
- At the end of the race his legs gave out and he collapsed on the ground.
- The woman staggered and collapsed in a heap.
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collapse verb (FAIL)
C2 [ I ] (of people and business) to suddenly be unable to continue or work correctly:
Talks between management and unions have collapsed.
More examples
- The company is staggering under a $15 million debt and will almost certainly collapse by the end of the year.
- Things have gone badly for him since his business collapsed.
- All charges against them were withdrawn after the prosecution's case collapsed.
- The talks have collapsed and both sides have resorted to brinkmanship.
- She'd invested extensively in stocks and got her fingers burned when the market collapsed.
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collapse noun (FAILURE)
B2 [ C or U ] the sudden failure of a system, organization, business, etc.:
A poor economy has caused the collapse of thousands of small businesses.
More examples
- The collapse of the company was described as the greatest financial debacle in US history.
- The collapse of Communism changed East-West relations for ever.
- The company is on the edge of collapse.
- The collapse of its rivals brought fortuitous gains to the company.
- The collapse of the bank is an ominous reminder of the fragility of the world's banking system.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
collapse noun (FALL)
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