collapse verb
1 of a building
ADV. completely
PREP. into Several buildings have collapsed into the sea. | under The roof collapsed under the weight of snow.
2 of a sick person
ADV. suddenly
PREP. against The man collapsed against the wall and slid down it. | from She collapsed suddenly from a heart attack. | with He collapsed with shock.
3 fail
ADV. eventually, finally In November the strike finally collapsed. | quickly, rapidly | suddenly | virtually
PHRASES to collapse in the face of sth The scheme collapsed in the face of determined opposition.