take to pieces

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I can tell you beforehand, the Princess will nail you three riddles together that it would take Old Moore himself seven years to take to pieces, Heaven knows.

From Turandot, Princess of China A Chinoiserie in Three Acts by Bithell, Jethro

She also purchased a box of models of common furniture, which were made to take to pieces, and to be put together again, and on which the names of all the parts were printed.

From Tales and Novels — Volume 01 by Edgeworth, Maria

Not infrequently I take to pieces a fine clock or watch and fail to find anything the matter with it, and yet it will not go as it should.

From Christopher and the Clockmakers by Stecher, William F. (William Frederick)

The modern mind is more like a motor-car on a lonely road which two amateur motorists have been just clever enough to take to pieces but are not quite clever enough to put together again.*

From Gilbert Keith Chesterton by Ward, Maisie

He who, in an enlightened and literary society, aspires to be a great poet must first become a little child, he must take to pieces the whole web of his mind.

From Critical and Historical Essays — Volume 1 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron