PhrasesHub

piece together

    Definitions

      • to assemble something from various parts
        to put together different pieces or parts to form a complete whole

      • to understand or solve something
        to gradually understand or figure out something by gathering different pieces of information or clues

    Examples of piece together

    • Detectives pieced together the clues to solve the murder case.

      In this example, the idiom "piece together" is used in the context of putting various clues or pieces of evidence together to form a complete picture and arrive at a solution. Detectives gather different clues, such as footprints, fingerprints, and witness statements, and arrange them logically to uncover the true nature of the crime.

    • After a long day of traveling, I was able to piece together the events of the day in my mind.

      In this example, the idiom "piece together" is used to express the process of remembering and reconstructing a series of events in one's memory. When we experience a series of events, we might have gaps in our recollection or confusion about the sequence. By mentally sorting and connecting these fragments, we can reconstruct the entire sequence of events.

    • The detective pieced together the suspect's whereabouts during the time of the robbery.

      In this example, the idiom "piece together" is used in the context of reconstructing someone's movements or activities at a specific time. Detectives collect various pieces of evidence, such as surveillance footage, receipts, and testimony, to establish a suspect's whereabouts during the time of the crime.

    • After a long argument, they finally pieced together their problems and worked towards a solution.

      In this example, the idiom "piece together" is used in the context of identifying and resolving conflicts between people. By analyzing different aspects of the argument and understanding its underlying causes, the parties involved can work together to find a mutually acceptable solution.

    • After the robbery, the police had to piece together the events from the confused and contradictory witness accounts.

      In this example, the phrase "piece together" is being used as a phrasal verb, meaning to reconstruct or reassemble something from disparate parts. Here, the police are attempting to reconstruct a clear picture of the robbery, using the often-conflicting statements of the witnesses.

    • She tried to piece together the meaning of his enigmatic smile.

      In this example, "piece together" is being used as a phrasal verb meaning to understand or interpret something that is not immediately clear. Here, the person being described is trying to figure out what her companion's cryptic smile might signify.

    • Despite the missing sections, we were able to piece together the final draft of the report.

      In this example, "piece together" is being used as a phrasal verb meaning to reconstruct or repair something that is fragmentary or damaged. Here, the speakers are saying that they were able to fill in the gaps and complete the report, even though some parts were missing.

    • The chef carefully pieced together the gourmet meal from the finest ingredients.

      In this example, "piece together" is being used as a phrasal verb meaning to assemble or construct something from its component parts. Here, the chef is being described as artfully combining the elements of the high-end meal.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "piece together" can be used in two different contexts. Firstly, it can mean physically assembling something from different parts. Secondly, it can mean mentally understanding or solving something by gathering various pieces of information or clues.

    In the first meaning, "piece together" is often used when talking about putting together a puzzle, model, or any other physical item from different parts. In the second meaning, it is commonly used when discussing solving a mystery, understanding a complex situation, or figuring out a problem by gathering and connecting different pieces of information.

    Overall, "piece together" is a versatile idiom that can be applied to both physical and mental processes of assembling and understanding.

    Origin of "piece together"

    The origin of the idiom "piece together" can be traced back to the literal meaning of assembling or constructing something from various pieces or parts. The word "piece" refers to a part of something, and "together" indicates the action of bringing these parts into a unified whole.

    In its figurative sense of understanding or solving something, the idiom likely originated from the idea of mentally gathering and connecting different pieces of information or clues to form a complete picture or solution. This usage may have evolved from the literal sense of physically assembling something.

    Overall, the idiom "piece together" has its origins in the actions of assembly and understanding, and it has been used in English language to convey these meanings for a significant period of time.