Pullapart

Pull apart is a phrasal verb in English that means to cause two or more parts to separate by applying a force that pulls them away from each other. It can describe everyday actions, such as opening a package, tearing a piece of fabric, or dismantling a simple joint. The term is used broadly across contexts to indicate separation by tension rather than cutting or breaking.

In technical contexts, pull-apart (often written with a hyphen) denotes a type of test or mechanism that measures the strength of a bond. A pull-apart test applies a tensile load in opposite directions to two joined surfaces until failure, yielding data on adhesive strength, joint quality, or material compatibility. Pull-apart joints, fasteners, and seals are designed to resist such forces to varying degrees, depending on materials and surface preparation.

The phrase also appears in culture and media as a motif or title, frequently conveying themes of division or estrangement. In engineering and product design, pull-apart can describe components intended to separate under certain conditions, such as joints or connections that fail safely or are meant to be disassembled for maintenance. In everyday language, the concept is often contrasted with ideas of cohesion and unity, such as pull together or hold together.