1.
If you take something apart, you separate it into the different parts that it is made of.
When the clock stopped, he took it apart, found what was wrong, and put the whole thing together again.
= dismantle
PHRASAL VERB: V n P
2.
If you ~ something such as an argument or an idea, you show what its weaknesses are, usually by analyzing it carefully.
They will take that problem apart and analyze it in great detail...
He proceeds to ~ every preconception anyone might have ever had about him.
PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)