1. (

• collapse ,
• prostration

) an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion; "the commander's prostration demoralized his men" ;

2. (

• collapse

) 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" ;

3. (

• flop ,
• collapse ,

) the act of throwing yourself down; "he landed on the bed with a great flop" ;

4. (

• crash ,
• collapse ,

) a sudden large decline of business or the prices of stocks (especially one that causes additional failures) ;

1. (

• collapse ,
• fall_in ,
• cave_in ,
• give ,
• give_way ,
• break ,
• founder

) 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" ;

2. (

• break_down ,
• collapse

) collapse due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack ;

3. (

• collapse ,

) fold or close up; "fold up your umbrella"; "collapse the music stand" ;

4. (

• crumble ,
• crumple ,
• tumble ,
• break_down ,
• collapse ,

) fall apart; "the building crumbled after the explosion"; "Negotiations broke down" ;

5. (

• collapse ,
• burst ,

) cause to burst; "The ice broke the pipe" ;

6. (

• crack_up ,
• crack ,
• crock_up ,
• break_up ,
• collapse

) suffer a nervous breakdown ;

7. (

• collapse

) lose significance, effectiveness, or value; "The school system is collapsing"; "The stock market collapsed" ;