pull something to pieces—
1. destroy or dismantle smth.:
- While we were out, our dog pulled to pieces two of our sofa cushions.
2. criticize smth. severely:
- I explained my theory and he just pulled it to pieces.
take something to pieces—(of machinery, etc.) take smth. apart so that it is in separate pieces:
- He took to pieces and reassembled an entire engine.