collapse

verb

/kəˈlæps/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they collapse	/kəˈlæps/ /kəˈlæps/
he / she / it collapses	/kəˈlæpsɪz/ /kəˈlæpsɪz/
past simple collapsed	/kəˈlæpst/ /kəˈlæpst/
past participle collapsed	/kəˈlæpst/ /kəˈlæpst/
-ing form collapsing	/kəˈlæpsɪŋ/ /kəˈlæpsɪŋ/

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of building

[intransitive] to fall down or fall in suddenly, often after breaking apart synonym give way

The roof collapsed under the weight of snow.
The building had partially collapsed.

Extra Examples

Several buildings have collapsed into the ocean.
Timber buildings may simply rot and collapse.

Topics Buildingsb2

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb

completely

preposition

into
under

See full entry

of sick person

[intransitive] to fall down (and usually become unconscious), especially because you are very ill

She collapsed and was rushed to hospital.
collapse + adv./prep. The man collapsed in a heap on the floor.
He collapsed in the street and died two hours later.
One night he practically collapsed from exhaustion

Extra Examples

He collapsed with shock.
She collapsed suddenly from a heart attack.
The man collapsed against the wall and slid down it.
They finally arrived, collapsing from fatigue.

Topics Illnessb2

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb

suddenly
immediately
almost
…

preposition

against
from
with
…

phrases

collapse in a heap

See full entry

relax

[intransitive] (informal) to sit or lie down and relax, especially after working hard

When I get home I like to collapse on the sofa and listen to music.

fail

[intransitive] to fail suddenly or completely synonym break down (2)

Talks between management and unions have collapsed.
All opposition to the plan has collapsed.

Extra Examples

The home side collapsed spectacularly in the second half.
The coalition collapsed under the pressure of differences between the two parties.
His building firm collapsed and he went bankrupt.
The scheme collapsed in the face of determined opposition.
The region's economy has virtually collapsed.
In November the strike finally collapsed.

Topics Difficulty and failureb2

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb

eventually
finally
quickly
…

phrases

to collapse in the face of something

See full entry

of prices/currencies

[intransitive] to decrease suddenly in amount or value

Share prices collapsed after news of poor trading figures.
She lost a lot of money when the property market collapsed.

Topics Change, cause and effectb2, Moneyb2

fold

[intransitive, transitive] collapse (something) to fold something into a shape that uses less space; to be able to be folded in this way synonym fold

The table collapses for easy storage.

medical

[intransitive, transitive] collapse (something) if a lung or blood vessel collapses or is collapsed, it falls in and becomes flat and empty

Word Originearly 17th cent. (as collapsed): from medical Latin collapsus, past participle of collabi, from col- ‘together’ + labi ‘to slip’.

collapse

noun

/kəˈlæps/

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failure

[countable, usually singular, uncountable] a sudden failure of something, such as an institution, a business or a course of action

the collapse of the Soviet Union
The peace talks were on the verge of collapse.
a decision which will push the country a step closer to economic collapse
the collapse of law and order in the area
They thought their strategy would cause the collapse of the regime.
The articles they published led to the collapse of the trial.
The present system is on the brink of collapse.

Extra Examples

The war has led to the collapse of agriculture in the area.
a collapse into anarchy
He charted the villagers' collapse into poverty.
The administration moved to prevent the collapse of the privatized national airline.
Their downfall came with the financial collapse of the Canary Wharf project.
They were successful in bringing about the collapse of the Communist regime.

Topics Difficulty and failureb2

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

complete
total
general
…

verb + collapse

bring about
cause
contribute to
…

preposition

collapse into

See full entry

of building

[uncountable] the action of a building suddenly falling

The walls were strengthened to protect them from collapse.
the sudden collapse of the bridge

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

sudden

phrases

be in danger of collapse

See full entry

illness

[uncountable, countable, usually singular] a medical condition when a person suddenly becomes very ill, or when somebody falls because they are ill or weak

a state of mental/nervous collapse
She was taken to hospital after her collapse at work.

Extra Examples

He was in a state of mental and physical collapse.
She was on the verge of nervous collapse.
his collapse from exhaustion

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

sudden
mental
nervous
…

verb + collapse

be close to
be on the point of
be on the verge of
…

phrases

a state of collapse

See full entry

of prices/currencies

[countable, usually singular] a sudden fall in value

Shares suffered a fresh collapse today.
the collapse of share prices/the dollar/the market
collapse in something the collapse in the price of oil

Topics Change, cause and effectb2, Moneyb2

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

complete
total
general
…

verb + collapse

bring about
cause
contribute to
…

preposition

collapse into

See full entry

Word Originearly 17th cent. (as collapsed): from medical Latin collapsus, past participle of collabi, from col- ‘together’ + labi ‘to slip’.