to fall apart - to wear out

dilodi83 · Jun 21, 2011

Do they have the same meaning?

1) My boots are falling apart.
2) My boots are worn out.

3) I think you should throw your shirt away. It's falling apart.
4) I think you should throw your shirt away. It's worn out.
5) I think you should throw your shirt away. It's wearing out.

shroob · Jun 21, 2011

dilodi83 said:
Do they have the same meaning?

1) My boots are falling apart.
2) My boots are worn out.

3) I think you should throw your shirt away. It's falling apart.
4) I think you should throw your shirt away. It's worn out.
5) I think you should throw your shirt away. It's wearing out.

Not a teacher only a native.

Yes, in that context they mean the same.

Though they are not synonyms on every occasion.
For example:
'Look at that dog, it's worn out' would not mean the same as, 'look at that dog, it's falling apart'.

dilodi83 · Jun 21, 2011

shroob said:
Not a teacher only a native.

Yes, in that context they mean the same.

Though they are not synonyms on every occasion.
For example:
'Look at that dog, it's worn out' would not mean the same as, 'look at that dog, it's falling apart'.

And what these two sentences mean? ;-)

Raymott · Jun 21, 2011

dilodi83 said:
Do they have the same meaning?

1) My boots are falling apart.
2) My boots are worn out.

3) I think you should throw your shirt away. It's falling apart.
4) I think you should throw your shirt away. It's worn out.
5) I think you should throw your shirt away. It's wearing out.

No they don't.
Some things can fall apart without wearing out - cut flowers, rice cakes, house of cards ...
Many things can wear out without falling apart - eg. bike chains, ball bearings (many heavy mechanical things), clothes ...

However, in your example, they have the same approximate meaning. And you use "falling apart" metaphorically.

shroob · Jun 21, 2011

dilodi83 said:
And what these two sentences mean? ;-)

'Look at that dog, it's worn out' = the dog is very tired.
'Look at that dog, it's falling apart' = is incorrect use of 'falling apart', dogs do not 'fall apart'.

riquecohen · Jun 21, 2011

shroob said:
'Look at that dog, it's worn out' = the dog is very tired.
'Look at that dog, it's falling apart' = is incorrect use of 'falling apart', dogs do not 'fall apart'.

I agree, but people sometimes "fall apart" figuratively. After a few strenuous hours of hiking, someone could say "Let's stop for a rest. I'm falling apart." Does anyone know the great Patsy Cline song, "I Fall to Pieces?" (I tried to enter the link to YouTube, but am having problems.)

5jj · Jun 21, 2011

riquecohen said:
Does anyone know the great Patsy Cline song, "I Fall to Pieces?" (I tried to enter the link to YouTube, but am having problems.)

YouTube - ‪Patsy Cline - I Fall To Pieces‬‏

to fall apart - to wear out

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