come to pieces—
1. break into pieces; disintegrate:
- Halfway home the body of the car literally came to pieces.
2. come apart so that smth. is in separate pieces:
- Does this machine come to pieces?
go to pieces —(also: fall to pieces)
1. = come to pieces 1:
- The vessel is going to pieces, and it is full time for all who can, to leave her.
2. collapse physically or morally; become hysterical:
- At the news of her brother’s death she went completely to pieces.
3. (of an organization, business, etc.) become weak; fail:
- Since Mr. White handed over the management to his son, the business has gone to pieces.