bɝst bɜːst kəˈlæps kəˈlæps ˈkɹæk ˈʌp ˈkɹʌmbəl ˈkɹʌmpəl ɡɪv ˈtʌmbl̩ collapse due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack lose significance, effectiveness, or value The school system is collapsing The stock market collapsed the act of throwing yourself down; collapse; sink he landed on the bed with a great flop suffer a nervous breakdown break down, literally or metaphorically The wall collapsed The business collapsed The dam broke The roof collapsed The wall gave in The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice cause to burst The ice broke the pipe fall apart the building crumbled after the explosion Negotiations broke down fold or close up fold up your umbrella collapse the music stand a natural event caused by something suddenly falling down or caving in the roof is in danger of collapse the collapse of the old star under its own gravity a sudden large decline of business or the prices of stocks (especially one that causes additional failures) an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion the commander's prostration demoralized his men