1
general::
Phrase(s): pull someone or something apart
to separate or dismember someone or something. • The murderer pulled his victim apart and sought to dispose of the parts. • He pulled apart his victim. • Nick pulled the parts of the box apart., Phrase(s): pull someone apart
1. Lit. to separate people who are entangled. • The teacher pulled the fighting boys apart and sent them home. • They hugged each other so tightly that no one could have pulled them apart. 2. Fig. to upset someone very much; to cause someone grief and torment. • This whole terrible affair has just pulled me apart. • Don’t let this matter pull you apart. Things won’t always be this bad.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs