C1idiominformalemotionsIELTS-friendly
go to pieces
USUK
to become so upset or nervous that you cannot act normally
About people, not things. 'Fall to pieces' is close but also used for objects that break.
In context
He's a great player in training but goes to pieces in big matches.
When her father died, she went to pieces for months.
More idioms about emotions
- a bitter pill to swallowan unpleasant fact or situation that is hard to accept
- a bundle of nervesvery nervous and worried
- a chip on your shouldera lasting anger because you feel you were treated unfairly in the past
- a knot in your stomacha tight, sick feeling in your body caused by worry or fear
- a lump in your throata tight feeling in your throat because you are so moved that you might cry