crumble
/ˈkrʌmbl; `krʌmbl/ v
1 [I, Ipr, Ip, Tn, Tn.pr, Tn.p]
~ (sth) (into/to sth); ~ (sth) (up) (cause sth to) be broken or rubbed into very small pieces （将某物） 弄碎; 碎成细屑
crumble one's bread, ie break it into crumbs 把面包弄碎
The bricks slowly crumbled in the long frost. 砖块在长期寒冷的情况下慢慢地碎裂了.
crumbling walls, ie that are breaking apart 破裂的墙壁.
2 [I, Ipr] ~ (into/to sth) (fig 比喻) gradually deteriorate or come to an end 渐渐垮掉; 走向末路
The great empire began to crumble. 这个大帝国开始衰落了.
hopes that crumbled to dust 破灭的希望
Their marriage is crumbling. 他们的婚姻开始出现裂痕.
3 (idm 习语) that's the way the cookie crumbles => way1. crumble, n [U, C]
pudding of stewed fruit with a crumbly topping of pastry, breadcrumbs, etc 酥皮水果点心
apple, rhubarb, etc crumble 苹果、 大黄等点心.