phrasal
1. : to separate part from part or into parts : disassemble , dismantle , dismember : treat as if to dismember by force : rough up
take a town apart
2. : to analyze or dissect especially in order to discover or reveal a weakness, flaw, or fallacy
dislikes the dictum … and in this small book he takes it apart skillfully and ruthlessly — G.W.Johnson
specialists in sports who take the various games and sponsors apart, but seldom bother to reassemble them — Phoenix Flame
takes the ordinary American citizen apart in a most callous fashion — G.W.Johnson
3.
a. : to subject to treatment intended to disorganize
chances are that some opposing congressman will … take the witness apart — J.R.Fitzpatrick
b. : to treat roughly or harshly in any way : tear into
isn't like an ordinary election campaign where you can take your opponent apart — Time
took wives apart for the way they play poker — T.S.Geisel