English · Phrasal verb Attested

take apart

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see take, apart. — To dismantle something into its component pieces.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

tháo rời thành các bộ phận

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

I carefully took the clock mechanism apart to clean it.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see take, apart. — To move someone away from others to be able to talk to, or give them something in private.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

dẫn ai đó sang nơi riêng để nói chuyện hoặc đưa cho họ thứ gì đó

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To soundly defeat someone, or a (sport) team.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

đánh bại ai đó một cách hoàn toàn

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “take apart” mean?

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see take, apart. — To dismantle something into its component pieces.

Is “take apart” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.