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.

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

When he was only twelve years old he was able to take to pieces and reset the family clock and a patent lever watch, using no tool for this purpose but his pocket-knife.

From Great Fortunes, and How They Were Made by McCabe, James Dabney

It is one thing to see a sophistry, and another to take to pieces the filmy threads of which it is composed.

From The Chautauqua Girls At Home by Pansy

And brains, auntie, you've no idea how curious they are; I haven't got to them yet, but I long to, and uncle is going to show me a manikin that you can take to pieces.

From Eight Cousins by Alcott, Louisa May

In attempting, therefore, to take to pieces the machinery, there was the risk of destroying it.

From Toilers of the Sea by Hugo, Victor