pull apart

séparer en tirant, déchirer

Séparer des choses ou déchirer quelque chose en tirant dessus.

En anglais simple : To separate things or break something into pieces by pulling.

• Pull the bread apart.
• We pulled the stuck pages apart carefully.
• Can you pull these two pieces apart?

Comment l'utiliser : pull something apart (She pulled the two pieces apart with her hands.)

Synonymes : separate, tear apart

Expressions courantes : pull apart something, pull apart bread

séparer

Séparer avec les mains des personnes ou des animaux qui se battent.

En anglais simple : To use your hands to separate people or animals that are fighting.

• We pulled the boys apart.
• Two officers pulled the angry men apart.
• Can someone help me pull these dogs apart?

Comment l'utiliser : pull people/animals apart (The teacher pulled the fighting pupils apart.)

Synonymes : separate, break up

Expressions courantes : pull apart fighting dogs, pull apart two boys

démonter

Séparer les pièces d’une machine ou d’un objet pour l’examiner ou le réparer.

En anglais simple : To remove the parts of a machine or object so you can examine or repair it.

• He pulled the clock apart.
• We pulled the motor apart to find the fault.
• Have you ever pulled a computer apart?

Comment l'utiliser : pull something apart (The mechanic pulled the engine apart.)

Synonymes : take apart, dismantle, disassemble

Contraires : assemble

Expressions courantes : pull apart a machine, pull apart a watch

se séparer, se déchirer

Se séparer ou se déchirer sous l’effet d’une force qui tire.

En anglais simple : To split or separate because something is pulling on it.

• The old rope pulled apart.
• These weak seams pull apart when you stretch the fabric.
• Will the cable pull apart under this much weight?

Synonymes : come apart, split, break

Expressions courantes : pull apart easily, pull apart under tension

décortiquer, examiner

Examiner une idée ou une explication en détail pour vérifier si elle tient debout.

En anglais simple : To examine an idea or explanation in detail to discover whether it is sound.

• They pulled the theory apart.
• The detective pulled her alibi apart, checking every detail.
• We need to pull this argument apart before accepting it.

Comment l'utiliser : pull something apart (The investigators pulled his explanation apart.)

Synonymes : analyze, scrutinize, dissect

Expressions courantes : pull apart an argument, pull apart a theory

démolir, critiquer sévèrement

Critiquer durement quelque chose en détaillant ses défauts.

En anglais simple : To say strongly and in detail what is wrong with something.

• The teacher pulled my essay apart.
• Critics pulled the film apart for its weak story.
• Why do you always pull my ideas apart?

Comment l'utiliser : pull something apart (The reviewers pulled the book apart.)

Synonymes : tear apart, criticize, attack

Contraires : praise

Expressions courantes : pull apart an essay, pull apart a proposal